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Engaged in galamsey are prosecuted – Deputy AG
The government has expressed its readiness and commitment to ensure that all persons engaged in illegal mining activities across the country are arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Alfred Tuah-Yeboah says the government will not relent in its fight against galamsey on all fronts.
Speaking to Citi News after galamsey queen Aiyhsa Hang was jailed for four years and six months on Monday, December 4, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah said it is only a matter of time before all persons involved in galamsey are arrested and prosecuted.
“We have been able to successfully prosecute her [Aiyhsa Hang], and she is going to spend four years and six months in custody. It should be a lesson to others that you may be engaging in illegal mining, but when the time comes, the law will deal with you in accordance with what you have done. It is a continuous fight.”
Aiyhsa Hang was also fined by the court to the tune of GH¢48,000.
Background
Aisha Huang was accused of being in the thick of affairs of galamsey, especially in the Ashanti Region. She was initially arrested and deported from the country in 2018 after the A-G decided to discontinue her trial, in which she was accused of engaging in small-scale mining without a license.
However, she reportedly sneaked into the country to allegedly engage in the same activities for which she was deported.
In October 2022, the A-G then decided to prosecute her for the alleged crimes before her deportation and the new ones committed since her re-entry into the country.
It is the case of the prosecution that Aisha had an illegal mining concession at Bepotenten in the Amansie West District in the Ashanti Region and also operated a mining support services company.
She had pleaded not guilty to undertaking a mining operation without a license, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation, the illegal employment of foreigners, and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry.
But on May 3, this year, Aisha pleaded guilty to entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry, contrary to section 20(4) of the Immigration Act, 2000, Act 573.
That was after she had entered into a Plea Bargaining agreement with the State (office of the Attorney General).
Credit: Citinewsroom,com
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
