Galamsey: Over 850 individuals facing prosecution – AG
By Daniel NONOR
ATTORNEY-GENERAL and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has revealed that over 850 individuals are currently facing prosecution for their alleged involvement in illegal mining, commonly known as ‘galamsey’.
This announcement comes amid growing concerns over the severe impact of galamsey on Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves.
Addressing the 2024/2025 Annual General Conference of the Ghana Bar Association, Yeboah Dame disclosed that 140 cases of illegal mining are under investigation across five regions: Western, Eastern, Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Upper East.
He acknowledged the challenges prosecutors face in the courts but emphasized that notable progress has been made in recent years. Since August 2021, the Attorney-General’s Office has secured 76 convictions, including that of the notorious Chinese galamsey queen, Aisha Huang.
“The destruction caused by illegal mining, or galamsey, to our forest reserves and water bodies is immense. Despite the difficulties prosecutors face in securing convictions in illegal mining cases, we have made strides. Since August 2021, at least 76 individuals, including 18 foreigners, have been convicted,” Yeboah Dame stated.
He cited the conviction of Aisha Huang as a significant victory in the government’s ongoing crackdown on illegal mining activities. Huang, who had been a symbol of galamsey-related environmental degradation, was convicted on December 4, 2023, for offenses committed between 2014 and 2016.
“Most of these convicts, including Aisha Huang, were sentenced under the new law, Act 995, which imposes strict penalties. Non-Ghanaians convicted of illegal mining face a minimum sentence of 15 years along with hefty fines. For foreigners, the minimum penalty increases to 20 years, also with fines,” the Attorney General added.
Yeboah Dame reassured the public that the government remains committed to addressing the galamsey menace through vigorous legal measures. He stressed that stiff penalties have been established to deter illegal mining activities, particularly for foreign nationals involved.
“As of now, there are over 140 ongoing cases involving more than 850 accused persons in court across the Western, Eastern, Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Upper East regions. Some of these cases are nearing conclusion, and we are confident that the judiciary will continue to play a pivotal role in the fight against galamsey,” he concluded.
The Attorney-General’s comments come at a time when public pressure is mounting on the government to strengthen efforts in protecting the environment from the destructive effects of galamsey. Ghana’s water bodies, once a lifeline for many communities, have been severely polluted, and its forests continue to suffer from the illegal extraction of gold.
