Galamsey: I’ll avail myself should EOCO invite me – Abanga

The 3rd National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abanga Yakubu Alhassan, has denied allegations linking him to illegal mining activities, widely referred to as galamsey.

His response follows a directive from the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate him and NDC National Organiser Joseph Yamin over alleged involvement in unauthorised mining operations.
The Attorney-General’s letter, dated Tuesday, July 15, cited “credible reports” implicating the two senior party executives in activities said to be threatening water bodies, forest reserves, and livelihoods across mining communities.

“Let me say clearly, without any reservation, that I have never been involved in any illegal mining activity at any point,” Abanga said in an interview on Accra-based JoyNews.

He described the allegations as unfounded and a deliberate attempt to damage his reputation and political career.

“These allegations are baseless. They are fabricated issues and a calculated attempt to tarnish my hard-earned reputation,” he stressed.

Although he confirmed not receiving any official invitation from EOCO, Abanga assured of his willingness to cooperate fully with investigators should the need arise.

“As of today, I have not received any official communication from the EOCO. But should I be invited, I will avail myself and assist in any way necessary to bring clarity to the matter,” he stressed.

However, Mr Yamin has also denied engaging in illegal mining, otherwise known as ‘galamsey’.

“For the records I am not part of any galamsey taskforce, neither have I been invited to even share ideas as to how to fight these illegal mining activities of some of these small-scale miners. If there’s any taskforce parading round with my name, the said group is operating illegally and must be resisted from their operations.

“The work of the taskforce is strictly enforced by the state security and not party directives. For the records, I am not a miner neither do I do mining nor own a concession. If anyone is impersonating me that person or group of persons must be resisted or arrested. I urge the small scale miners to leave me out of their issues and approach the right authorities in finding a lasting solution to their problems. For the records again I am not involved in any such operations,” he stressed.