Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Godfred Dame, has expressed readiness to prosecute the case involving the Chinese national, Aisha Huang, popularly known as Galamsey Queen who was arrested for re-entering Ghana allegedly without permission.
According to him, witness statements have been filed in court.
Speaking to journalists after the denial of bail to Aisha Huang in court today, October 11, 2022, Mr Dame stated that prosecutors have filed most of the documents they want to rely on and have filed statements from four witnesses.
“We really want to file four more, for that matter we have requested for a week but of course, the judge exercised the discretion to adjourn to October 24 for us to come and conduct the case management studies. We are ready to proceed with the trial of the case.”
Godfred Dame
On his part, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources , Samuel Abu Jinapor, expressed satisfaction with the way and manner the Attorney General is conducting the case. He stated that the Akufo-Addo administration is determined to make all persons who are caught engaging in illegal small scale mining to face the full rigours of the law.
He indicated that the Chinese national, Aisha Huang, and other accomplices with her will all face the law for their illegal activities.
Law enforcement in fighting galamsey
Mr Jinapor iterated that one of the key pillars on which government is seeking to deal with the issue of illegal small scale mining is law enforcement and prosecution, particularly as it relates to foreigners.
“As you can see, the Attorney-General himself was in court and he himself is conducting this trial, prosecuting the cases in a very spirited and enthusiastic manner. I think it helps my work. When you have an Attorney-General who is diligent and serious about prosecution and ensuring that all perpetrators are brought to book, I think it is a big boost and I am very thankful to him for the work he is doing.”
Samuel Abu Jinapor
The Lands minister expressed government’s commitment and efforts to ensure the issue of galamsey is addressed. He equally highlighted on the relevance of reforms as well as the prosecutorial aspect of the case, which government is fully committed to.
“As you can tell, this Aisha Huang lady, the government of President Akufo-Addo is committed to bring her and other persons who are involved in illegal mining to face the full rigors of the laws.”
Samuel Abu Jinapor
Aisha Huang has been denied bail yet again by an Accra High Court, where she is facing four charges pressed by the Attorney General. It will be recalled that President Akufo-Addo indicated his support for the prosecution of the suspect by the Attorney General in September.
The President stated that he expects the court to apply the “full rigour of the new” amended Act 995 which has increased substantially the punishment for breaches of the law, if they are found guilty.
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