The Third National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Yakubu Abanga, has stated his readiness to resign from his position if investigations find him complicit in illegal mining, locally known as galamsey.
This comes in response to a directive from the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, ordering the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to interrogate Abanga and NDC National Organiser Joseph Yamin over credible reports linking them to illegal mining operations.
“I am willing to resign from my position if the investigations establish that I am complicit in illegal mining,” Abanga said in a statement, adding that he has nothing to hide and welcomes the probe.
Abanga’s name reportedly surfaced in connection with a rogue anti-galamsey taskforce accused by some small-scale miners of harassing legitimate operators in mining communities. The scope of the investigation has also been extended to include findings from Prof. Frimpong-Boateng’s 2023 report on illegal mining.
Abanga has denied any wrongdoing, describing the allegations as “baseless” and politically motivated.
The Third National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Yakubu Abanga, has publicly declared his willingness to resign if ongoing investigations find him complicit in illegal mining activities, widely known as galamsey.
“I am willing to resign from my position if the investigations establish that I am complicit in illegal mining,” Abanga said, firmly denying any wrongdoing.
His comments follow a directive from the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, instructing the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate Mr. Abanga and Joseph Yamin, the NDC’s National Organiser.
The investigation stems from allegations that the two party officials are connected to unauthorised anti-galamsey taskforces accused of terrorising legitimate small-scale miners and disrupting licensed operations under the guise of enforcement.
In his directive dated July 15, Dr. Ayine noted that the probe should include issues raised in the Frimpong-Boateng report on illegal mining, and suggested that EOCO involve the CEO of the Minerals Commission to aid in the investigation.
Abanga, whose name has been cited in recent reports from affected miners, maintains that the claims are politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
“These allegations are baseless. I have nothing to hide. I welcome any investigation that will bring the truth to light,” he added.
The case has added a new layer of political tension to the broader national discourse on illegal mining, coming just a day after former President John Dramani Mahama declared the galamsey crisis a national emergency during his tour of the Western North Region.
As public concern over environmental degradation and water pollution intensifies, the EOCO investigation is expected to draw national attention in the days ahead.
The Third National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Yakubu Abanga, has pledged to resign immediately if any evidence links him to illegal mining operations or the formation of rogue anti-galamsey taskforces.
His declaration comes in the wake of a directive from the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, instructing the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate Abanga and the NDC’s National Organiser, Joseph Yamin, following allegations of their involvement in unauthorised taskforces accused of harassing small-scale miners.
“I am putting my position on the line,” Abanga said in an interview. “If anybody should be bold and come out with evidence against me, Abanga Yakubu Alhassan, that I am into galamsey or I have formed a taskforce to extort money from people and bring it to me in Accra, I will resign today from my position.”
Abanga denied all allegations, describing them as “baseless, malicious, and a calculated attempt to dent my hard-earned reputation.”
The controversy began after a group of small-scale miners issued a press statement accusing the two NDC executives of supporting fake anti-galamsey taskforces. These groups allegedly operate in the Ashanti and Western Regions, where they are reported to have invaded legitimate mining sites, seized equipment, and extorted money under the guise of enforcing mining laws.
In response to these accusations, the Attorney-General’s letter—dated July 15—urged EOCO to investigate the claims and include references from the Frimpong-Boateng report, a 2023 document that exposed high-level political interference and corruption in the galamsey fight. EOCO has also been advised to collaborate with the CEO of the Minerals Commission during its investigations.
The probe comes just as former President John Dramani Mahama has declared the galamsey crisis a national emergency, citing severe environmental destruction across parts of the Western North Region.
The unfolding investigation has cast a spotlight on the internal politics of the NDC and raised broader questions about the role of political actors—across party lines—in either enabling or curbing illegal mining.
Abanga’s forceful denial and willingness to step aside if found guilty could raise the stakes as EOCO prepares to begin its probe.
As Ghana ramps up its crackdown on illegal mining, Third National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Yakubu Abanga, has declared his readiness to resign and cooperate fully with authorities if found guilty of involvement in any illegal mining activities.
His response follows a directive from the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, instructing the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to interrogate Abanga and Joseph Yamin, the party’s National Organiser, over allegations of fueling unauthorised anti-galamsey taskforces.
“I am putting my position on the line, that if anybody should be bold and come out with evidence against me… that I am into galamsey or I have formed a taskforce to extort money from people and bring it to me in Accra, I will resign today from my position,” Abanga stated in an interview.
He described the accusations as “baseless, malicious, and a calculated attempt to dent my hard-earned reputation.”
Although he says he has not yet received an official copy of the Attorney-General’s letter, Abanga affirmed he would fully cooperate with any investigation.
The allegations stem from a press statement by a group of aggrieved small-scale miners, led by Andrew Abban, who claimed that armed operatives posing as anti-galamsey taskforces have been terrorising legitimate mining sites.
According to Abban, the operatives—clad in camouflage and armed with weapons—have raided sites in Sekondi, Bekwai, Offinso, Prestea, and other mining communities, intimidating workers and allegedly extorting money and equipment.
The miners accuse Yamin and Abanga of backing these taskforces and allowing them to operate with impunity under the guise of enforcement.
In a letter sighted by JoyNews, the Attorney-General instructed EOCO not only to investigate Abanga and Yamin but also to extend the probe to any other individuals found complicit in the scheme.
“The scope of this investigation should include the matters highlighted in Prof. Frimpong-Boateng’s report on illegal mining,” the letter read, referencing the 2023 document that implicated several political figures and officials in obstructing anti-galamsey efforts.
The CEO of the Minerals Commission is also expected to be invited to assist EOCO’s investigation.
These developments come just one day after former President John Dramani Mahama declared the illegal mining crisis a national emergency, citing alarming environmental degradation in the Western North Region. He vowed to intensify national taskforce efforts and restore Ghana’s degraded lands and water bodies.
The EOCO investigation, especially with high-profile political figures now in the spotlight, could become a major turning point in the country’s years-long battle against galamsey.
