Amid the growing anger over the devastation of the country’s water bodies and forest reserves, Ghana’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has stated that 76 individuals have been convicted of illegal mining offences since August 2021.

The Minister said this at the Ghana Bar Association Conference in Kumasi on Monday, September 9, to highlight the government’s efforts to clamp down on the Galamsey menace.

Despite legal and procedural challenges, he noted that significant progress has been made in prosecuting illegal miners.

“From August 2021 to date, at least 76 individuals, including 18 foreigners, have been convicted. Among them is the notorious Chinese Galamsey queen, Aisha Huang, who was convicted on December 4, 2023, for offences committed between 2014 and 2016 during the previous government’s tenure,” Mr Dame disclosed.

Godfred Yeboah Dame

He added that most of these convicts were sentenced under the new law, Act 995, which imposes a minimum sentence of 15 years and heavy fines for non-Ghanaian offenders. Foreigners found guilty now face a minimum of 50 years in prison, while Ghanaians involved in illegal mining face a minimum of 20 years behind bars.

Mr Dame further disclosed that over 140 cases of illegal mining, involving more than 850 accused persons, are currently being prosecuted in courts across the Western, Eastern, Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Upper East regions.

He assured that several of these cases are close to conclusion.

Reflecting on the broader legal framework, Mr Dame praised the often-overlooked work of the Legislative Drafting Division within the Attorney-General’s Office. “They are the unsung heroes—a disciplined and meticulous team of lawyers who are crucial to the smooth functioning of our government. Without their efforts, the legislative arm could not operate effectively,” he said.

He lauded their efforts in advancing law reforms, particularly in both civil and criminal law. Since 2021, the division has drafted approximately 60 Acts of Parliament and countless subsidiary laws, ensuring that Ghana’s legal system remains robust and responsive.

Addressing concerns about the working conditions of state attorneys, Mr Dame shared that his inspections of various offices under the Ministry of Justice revealed significant challenges, including poor infrastructure and a lack of basic tools necessary for effective service delivery.

“In February 2022, following directives from the President and the Minister of Finance, funds were allocated to improve the ministry’s operations,” he explained. “As part of these efforts, I facilitated the purchase of 91 vehicles, representing the largest fleet ever acquired for the ministry.”

Source: Mavis Sekyibea Addo