The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has disclosed that the state is prosecuting nearly 600 individuals involved in illegal mining (galamsey) across Ghana.
Speaking at a stakeholder forum on illegal mining convened by President John Dramani Mahama in Accra on Friday, October 3, Dr. Ayine explained that these prosecutions arise from 65 active dockets currently being handled by the Attorney-General’s Department.
“Currently, we have initiated prosecutions in 65 dockets, and there is a difference. When we say 65 dockets, it is not 65 individual persons who are being prosecuted,” he clarified.
He further noted that many of the dockets involve multiple accused persons, with some cases containing more than 10 suspects each. In one instance in the Western North Region, a single docket covers the prosecution of 28 illegal miners.
“By my calculation, the 65 dockets contain about 600 illegal miners that are being prosecuted,” Dr. Ayine stated.
His remarks come as the government intensifies efforts to clamp down on galamsey, which has destroyed forests, polluted water bodies, and disrupted licensed mining operations.
Dr. Ayine also emphasised the government’s commitment to strengthening investigations and addressing legal loopholes that have allowed some suspects to escape conviction in the past.
