The 3rd National Vice Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abanga Alhassan Yakubu, has denied allegations that he is involved in illegal mining.
He has also rejected claims that he has set a taskforce that is extorting monies from illegal miners for him.
According to him, he is ever ready to meet the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to assist in investigations regarding the allegations being levelled against him.
Speaking on TV3’s News Central Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Abanga asked that any person with evidence regarding his involvement in anything illegal should present it, and he will resign from his national position in the party.
“Anybody who has any evidence against me Abanga Yakubu Alhassan, that I’m engaged in illegal mining or any illegal activity, or formed any illegal taskforce to extort money for me, should bring that evidence and I’ll resign as a National Vice Chairman of the party,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Abanga indicated that he hadn’t received any official invitation from the EOCO as at the time he was granting the interview today, Thursday, July 16.
“As of today, I have not received any official invitation from EOCO but should I be invited, I’ll avail myself and assist in anyway necessary to bring clarity to the matter,” he stated.
The development follows a direction from the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Dr Dominic Ayine, to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate some individuals who are reported to have engaged in illegal mining activities.
This was contained in a letter sighted by OnuaOnline.
In the letter dated July 15, Dr Ayine wrote “I write to direct your esteemed office to initiate investigations into suspected illegal mining activities being perpetrated by certain individuals within mining districts in the country.”
This directive is borne out of growing public concern, corroborated by media reports and intelligence, regarding the involvement of some citizens in unauthorized mining operations (generally called galamsey) that are in blatant contravention of the provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Act 995.”
He named the individuals involved as Yakubu Abanga and Joseph Yamin.
“As Your Office is aware, H.E. the President has consistently reiterated his government’s firm commitment to eradicating illegal mining and restoring sanity to the natural resource governance regime in Ghana.
In line with this national stance, and pursuant to your mandate under the EOCO Act, 2010 (Act 804), I am directing your Office to invite the following persons named in recent credible reports for interrogation namely, Mr. Yakubu Abanga and Mr. Joseph Yamin,” the Attorney General stated.
Below is the full letter:
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ECONOMIC AND ORGANISED CRIME OFFICE (EOCO)
NO. 18 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE
ACCRA, GHANA
July 15, 2025
Dear Executive Director,
DIRECTIVE TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ILLEGAL MINING ACTIVITIES BY NAMED INDIVIDUALS
I write to direct your esteemed office to initiate investigations into suspected illegal mining activities being perpetrated by certain individuals within mining districts in the country.
This directive is borne out of growing public concern, corroborated by media reports and intelligence, regarding the involvement of some citizens in unauthorized mining operations (generally called galamsey) that are in blatant contravention of the provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Act 995.
These activities not only flout our mining regulations but also gravely endanger our water bodies, forest reserves, and local livelihoods.
As Your Office is aware, H.E. the President has consistently reiterated his government’s firm commitment to eradicating illegal mining and restoring sanity to the natural resource governance regime in Ghana. In line with this national stance, and pursuant to your mandate under the EOCO Act, 2010 (Act 804), I am directing your Office to invite the following persons named in recent credible reports for interrogation namely, Mr. Yakubu Abanga and Mr. Joseph Yamin.
Additionally, you are to investigate any other persons found to be complicit in these unlawful mining activities. The scope of this investigation should include the matters highlighted in the Prof. Frimpong Boateng’s report on illegal mining.
Furthermore, considering the regulatory oversight role of the Minerals Commission, you may invite the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission to assist in the investigations.
I trust that EOCO will treat this matter with the urgency and gravity it deserves in order to uphold the rule of law and ensure the integrity of our extractive governance framework.
Yours in the Service of the Republic.
DR. DOMINIC AKURITINGA AYINE (MP)
ATTORNEY GENERAL & MINISTER FOR JUSTICE
