Private legal practitioner, Kwesi Botchway Jnr., has formally petitioned the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, requesting an update on investigations into alleged illegal mining (galamsey) activities referred to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
In a letter dated December 17, 2025, and addressed to the Attorney-General’s Office in Accra, Kwesi Botchway said his request was driven by “considerable public interest and the significant national impact of illegal mining.”
The Attorney-General in a directive on July 15, 2025, instructed EOCO to institute investigations into suspected illegal mining activities in some mining districts.
The directive, specifically asked EOCO to invite “Mr. Yakubu Abanga and Mr. Joseph Yamin” for interrogation, alongside matters arising from the Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng report.
Six months down the lane, no information about the investigations have been made public. Lawyer Kwesi Botchway Jnr. is seeking clarity on three key issues.
“the current progress of the investigations,” “any interim findings EOCO has submitted to the AG’s Office,” and the “expected timelines for the completion of the investigations.”
In the letter, he referenced the Attorney-General’s own justification for the EOCO probe, noting that the investigations were “borne out of growing public concern, corroborated by media reports and intelligence, regarding the involvement of some citizens in unauthorized mining operations (generally called galamsey).”
He stressed that such activities “are in blatant contravention of the provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Act 995,” and warned that they “gravely endanger our water bodies, forest reserves, and local livelihoods.”
Kwesi Botchway said his request was made “in good faith and in the interest of transparency, public accountability, and strengthening public confidence in the national fight against illegal mining.”
Following the submission of the petition, the lawyer took to social media to publicly announce his action and reiterate his concerns.
“I petitioned the Attorney General requesting an update on EOCO’s Galamsey investigations regarding NDC’s National Organiser, Joseph Yamin and National Vice Chairperson, Abanga Yakubu,” he wrote.
He added that “six months ago, the Attorney General instructed EOCO to institute investigations into suspected illegal mining activities being perpetrated by certain individuals within mining districts in the country.”
Outlining his demands again, Kwesi Botchway said he had “humbly requested for the following; 1. The current progress of the investigations; 2. Any interim findings EOCO has submitted to the AG’s Office; 3. Expected timelines for the completion of the investigations.”
He further explained that the petition was motivated by “growing public concern, corroborated by media reports and intelligence, regarding the involvement of some citizens particularly members of the current government in unauthorized mining operations ‘Galamsey activities’.”
