The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, has lauded the current administration under President John Dramani Mahama for initiating investigations into illegal mining activities allegedly involving members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dr. Ashigbey described the move as a bold and commendable departure from past political norms, contrasting it with the previous Akufo-Addo-led administration, which he said failed to act on similar allegations.
His comments come in response to a directive by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, instructing the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate two NDC officials accused of illegal mining and extortion. The officials allegedly formed a task force that collected money from illegal miners under the guise of law enforcement.
The Attorney-General’s directive also includes a renewed mandate to probe individuals cited in the Frimpong-Boateng report, which was submitted in April 2023. The report, authored by former Environment Minister Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, named several high-ranking government officials and political figures allegedly involved in galamsey.
Despite public interest in the report, then-President Akufo-Addo dismissed its findings, asserting that Akonta Mining, a company owned by a party official had not violated any laws, despite contrary findings by the Minerals Commission and the sector minister.
Dr. Ashigbey noted that the Mahama-led government’s willingness to probe its own party members demonstrates a serious commitment to fighting illegal mining and upholding the rule of law.
