Gbande displeased over Yamin galamsey probe

Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency, Mustapha Gbande, says he is unhappy with how allegations against NDC National Organiser Joseph Yamin are being handled.

In an interview on UTV, Gbande, who also serves as the NDC’s Deputy National Organiser, suggested that forces within the party were behind what he described as unfair treatment of Yamin, who is facing allegations linked to illegal mining.

He cautioned that the governing National Democratic Congress would not repeat what he called the failings of the opposition New Patriotic Party during the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration.

“He is not a mean person; he is your national organiser. We are here. When the issues start coming up, they will come in grand style,” Gbande said. “NPP would have stopped what happened under President Akufo-Addo, but they didn’t have courageous people leading them.”

Gbande warned that the NDC has leaders willing to take tough decisions when necessary, hinting at serious consequences for wrongdoing within government circles.

“We have the courageous people, and when the die is cast, the resultant effect will be devastating,” he stated. “At least you are an appointee; it is only wise that the party that brought you… I can mention names, but I won’t. The CEOs, they know themselves.”

The Attorney General and Minister for Justice has directed that Yamin be investigated over the galamsey claims. Gbande, however, insisted that the National Organiser is prepared to cooperate fully with any probe.

“He is ready to face any security agency, including EOCO,” he said, stressing that Yamin has nothing to hide.

Gbande rejected suggestions that silence from party figures amounts to fear, arguing instead that restraint is being exercised out of respect.

“Nobody is afraid of the other; it is because of wisdom that everybody is quiet,” he said. “What is wrong is condemnable, unacceptable, and it must be dismissed… When you are quiet, it doesn’t mean you are a coward. I’m not a coward.”

He added that Yamin deserved better handling from within the party and government structures.

“Man is born to die but once,” Gbande fumed. “It is because we are all in government, and should accord each other respect, which is why everybody is quiet, but I don’t think it was a fair treatment of Yamin.”

According to him, party leadership should have first engaged Yamin before matters escalated to security agencies.

“We are to use intelligence when it comes to law enforcement matters,” Gbande argued. “If someone does something wrong, we have party leaders who should call and ask him.”

He clarified that the NDC does not intend to shield criminal conduct but believes internal consultation remains essential when party members face serious allegations.