The Third National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abanga Yakubu Alhassan, has denied allegations linking him to illegal small-scale mining (galamsey), describing the claims as a smear campaign aimed at damaging his reputation.
Speaking on TV3 on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Mr Abanga stated: “I have never been involved in illegal mining. This is a malicious attempt to tarnish my reputation.”
His comments come a day after the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, directed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate Mr Abanga and the NDC’s National Organiser, Joseph Yamin, over suspected involvement in illegal mining activities.
While acknowledging that he holds a valid mining concession, Mr Abanga insisted that he does not operate any equipment and is not engaged in illegal activities. “Yes, I have a mining concession, but as we speak, I have no excavator working for me anywhere,” he clarified.
He further challenged anyone with evidence of wrongdoing to come forward, promising to step down from his party position if proven guilty. “Whoever has any evidence against me that I am doing illegal mining or formed a taskforce going around extorting money for me, I will forfeit my position as the National Vice Chairman of the party,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the rule of law, Mr Abanga added, “I am prepared to go to EOCO. I am a law-abiding citizen.”
He described himself as a principled man who values integrity above material gain, noting: “I believe that integrity is better than riches.”
The Attorney-General’s directive was prompted by what he described as growing public concern, intelligence reports, and media coverage regarding unauthorised mining activities.
“This directive is borne out of growing public concern, corroborated by media reports and intelligence, regarding the involvement of some citizens in unauthorised mining operations… that are in blatant contravention of the provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Act 995,” Dr Ayine wrote in a letter dated Tuesday, July 15.
He indicated that EOCO should also investigate any other individuals found to be complicit in the illegal mining operations and consider issues raised in the Prof Frimpong-Boateng Report on galamsey.
Dr Ayine further requested that EOCO invite the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission to assist with the investigations.
