Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the Convenor of the Anti-Galamsey Coalition, has demanded that Yakubu Abanga, the National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Joseph Yamin, the National Organiser of the party, be arrested for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, ordered a thorough investigation into the two party executives’ alleged involvement in galamsey operations, but the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has yet to detain them. Dr. Ashigbey expressed concern about this.
Following recent reports that implicated Yamin and Abanga in illegal mining activities, the Attorney-General directed EOCO to invite them for questioning in a letter dated Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
In an interview with Sammi Wiafe on Monday, August 18, on Channel One TV’s The Point of View, Dr. Ashigbey stated that the law must be administered impartially.
“The NDC’s National Organiser, National Vice Chairman, have been pointed out by the AG to investigate them. Unfortunately, EOCO, we have not heard anything from you. Just as they did to Akonta Mining [Chairman Wontumi], they should arrest these two gentlemen and conduct the investigations,” he said.
In order to defeat galamsey, Dr. Ashigbey insisted that the legislation must be consistently enforced regardless of political party.
In addition, he expressed worry about the lack of response after EOCO arrested Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and demanded that the case involving him be prosecuted.
“We don’t see what is happening to Akonta Mining; he and his other director should be dragged to court,” he stated.
He also urged that the NDC Member of Parliament for Aowin, Oscar Ofori Larbi, be investigated, following allegations by local chiefs linking him to illegal mining activities.
His remarks come after the helicopter disaster on August 6 that killed eight people. The incident happened as the victims were traveling to an event relating to Galamsey. A fresh assault on illicit mining has since been announced by the government.