The Convenor of the Anti-Galamsey Coalition, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, has demanded the arrest of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Organiser, Joseph Yamin, and the party’s National Vice Chairman, Yakubu Abanga, over alleged involvement in illegal mining activities.
His call has drawn fresh attention to the political dimensions of the galamsey menace and the urgency of consistent enforcement.
At the heart of Dr. Ashigbey’s concern is the failure of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to act on a directive from the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine.
In a letter dated July 15, 2025, the Attorney-General instructed EOCO to invite Yamin and Abanga for questioning after reports implicated them in unauthorised mining.
“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”
Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Anti-Galamsey Coalition
Dr. Ashigbey stressed that the law must be applied without political bias. He insisted that selective enforcement undermines the credibility of the fight against illegal mining and called for consistency, regardless of political affiliation.
“Mr. President, they must be arrested,” he emphasized, addressing President John Dramani Mahama.
His comments also touched on the case of Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Wontumi’s company, Akonta Mining, has long been at the centre of controversy, yet Dr. Ashigbey noted the absence of visible progress on his prosecution.
“We don’t see what is happening to Akonta Mining; he and his other director should be dragged to court,” he demanded.
Politics and Galamsey
Beyond individual cases, Dr. Ashigbey painted a broader picture of the entrenched political complicity in illegal mining.
“The firefighters are the arsonists! The politicians we’ve chosen to protect us are heavily involved,” he said.
He further urged that Oscar Ofori Larbi, the NDC Member of Parliament for Aowin, also be investigated after local chiefs linked him to galamsey operations. According to Dr. Ashigbey, political protection has emboldened operators and weakened enforcement agencies.
He also charged President John Dramani Mahama to confront the issue decisively. “The only person who can resolve galamsey is the President, and the only President who can solve this issue is you,” he said, urging President Mahama to cement his legacy by championing an uncompromising crackdown.
Dr. Ashigbey’s appeal comes against the backdrop of the August 6 helicopter crash that killed eight people en route to an anti-galamsey event in Obuasi. He linked the tragedy to the risks posed by illegal mining and reiterated the Coalition’s long-standing position that the menace must be treated as a national security crisis.
“We need to deal with this as a national security crisis, and it ought to be dealt with. Another thing we have been talking about is the state of emergency.
“We’re not saying a state of emergency in the whole of the country, not even the whole of the district – these particular communities where these things are happening, declare a state of emergency there”
Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Anti-Galamsey Coalition
Citing Dunkwa in the Central Region as an example, Dr. Ashigbey explained that “targeted emergency measures,” would empower security agencies and regulators to act decisively.
Environmental Crimes, Not Galamsey
For Dr. Ashigbey, part of reframing the national conversation on illegal mining involves changing the language. He argued that the term “galamsey” downplays the gravity of the crimes committed against the environment.
“Let’s stop calling it galamsey – these are environmental crimes committed by environmental criminals. We need to call it like that and deal with it like that”
Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Anti-Galamsey Coalition
He also shared a deeply personal story while expressing sympathy for the families of the helicopter crash victims, drawing parallels with his own childhood loss. “It reminds me of the 16th of October 1983… I was 13 when a police officer announced my father’s death. My house became immediately dark,” he recalled.
Ultimately, Dr. Ashigbey argued that only strong political will can end the devastation caused by illegal mining on the environment and on families. His call combined accountability, enforcement, and empathy, pressing Ghana’s leaders to act swiftly and without fear or favour.
“This project of tackling galamsey is not just about the law. It is about protecting our water, our forests, and our future generations. The politicians who have the power must choose to protect the people and the environment”
Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Anti-Galamsey Coalition
