The President of policy think tank IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has criticised the Attorney General and Minister of Justice’s directive to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate alleged illegal mining activities involving two National Democratic Congress (NDC) executives.
Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine, in a letter dated Tuesday, July 15, 2025, ordered EOCO to launch a full-scale probe into claims against NDC National Organiser Joseph Yamin and National Vice Chairman Yakubu Abanga. However, Mr. Cudjoe believes the directive was unnecessary, arguing EOCO should act independently and proactively in matters within its remit.
“It may be well-intended, but AG doesn’t need to instruct them. They should have commenced the probe by now. Probably because it is the same party, that is why the AG has stepped in to show some seriousness. I think he means well, but the direction is needless,” he said in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem.
He further questioned EOCO’s responsiveness to critical national issues like illegal mining.
“Doesn’t EOCO know they are supposed to investigate such issues? EOCO must have its ears and eyes on the ground. It is an entity well-resourced to do certain things by itself and doesn’t need any instructions to act,” Mr. Cudjoe stated.
He criticised the agency for appearing more focused on political arrests instead of environmental crimes. “EOCO should have been busy by now, not just arresting political opponents, but doing other things that are important. The degradation of our environment for mineral resources should have been their first point of call.”
Mr. Cudjoe, however, welcomed the move to expand the scope of EOCO’s investigation to include other individuals named in the Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng report on illegal mining. He further urged a collaborative approach with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to ensure a robust investigation.
“I can understand the call for a further probe into Prof. Boateng’s report. I suggest that OSP must come in, and we should even empower the police to be doing some of these things,” he added.
The directive comes on the heels of allegations by the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association of Ghana (CSSMAG), which claims a taskforce led by Yamin and Abanga, disguised in military gear, has been extorting miners in areas including Sekondi, Bekwai, Offinso, and Prestea.
Both Yamin and Abanga have denied any involvement in illegal mining or connections with the said taskforce.
EOCO has been urged to handle the matter with urgency and diligence, in line with its mandate under the EOCO Act, 2010 (Act 804).
Source: Gertrude Otchere | Adomonline.com
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