NDC’s Joseph Yamin and one other fingered in illegal mining allegations, A-G directs EOCO to investigate
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has issued a directive to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to launch an immediate investigation into serious allegations of illegal mining activities involving two persons within the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) party.
A letter dated July 15, 2025, addressed to the Executive Director of EOCO, highlighted that the directive comes hot on the heels of “growing public concern corroborated by media reports and intelligence,” centered on the involvement of some citizens in illegal mining operations (galamsey), which flagrantly violate provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703)
“The activities not only flout our mining regulations but also gravely endanger our water bodies, forest reserves, and local livelihoods,” the Attorney-General stated.
The directive explicitly names two individuals for interrogation by EOCO; the Vice Chairman of the NDC, Mr. Yakubu Abanga, and Mr. Joseph Yamin, the NDC’s National Organizer.
The Attorney-General instructed EOCO to investigate these individuals based on “recent credible reports” and to extend the probe to “any other persons found to be complicit in these unlawful mining activities,” further directing that the investigation must include the matters highlighted in the landmark report on illegal mining authored by former Minister of Environment, Prof. Frimpong Boateng.
The directive, according to the A-G, aligns with President Mahama’s “firm commitment to eradicating illegal mining and restoring sanity to the natural resource governance regime.”
Meanwhile, President John Mahama on Tuesday, July 15, declared a national emergency in response to the surge in illegal mining activities in several regions of the country, vowing to intensify efforts to combat the crisis.
“We are alarmed by the environmental destruction that is reported across Awaso, Dadieso, and Sefwi-Anhwiaso, mainly due to illegal mining. I must be honest, this is a national emergency. The national taskforce will continue its efforts to halt illegal mining in our forest reserves and on our water bodies,” Prez Mahama said at a durbar during his ‘Thank You Tour’ of the Western North on Tuesday.
See A-G’s Directive Below:
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