The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame has responded to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s demand for his resignation over the havoc illegal mining has caused the country.
An unperturbed Godfred Dame has touted his achievements as the AG in the fight against illegality.
The NDC at a press conference on Monday, October 16, asked for the immediate resignation of Godfred Yeboah Dame as AG over his failure to prosecute government officials accused of engaging in illegal mining.
According to the party, “Mr Dame does not befit the stature of the high office of Attorney-General and Minister of Justice for this country because he simply does not have the interest of the nation at heart.”
“The NDC hereby demands the immediate resignation of the Attorney-General for his dubious attempt to cover up serious crimes that have been perpetrated against the state by corrupt government and NPP officials who are destroying our water bodies and forests through illegal mining,” said National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi.
This call followed the Attorney General’s advice that former Environment Minister, Prof Kwabena Frimpong Boateng’s allegations in his report on illegal mining activities in the country are empty and do not have evidence to prosecute the persons named in it.
The Attorney General therefore asked the police to discharge the persons mentioned in the report except those still under investigation.
However, the AG in his rebuttal, has said the NDC should be the last political party to speak about the destruction the illegal mining has caused the state and to demand his resignation.
According to Mr Yeboah Dame, the largest opposition party’s record in dealing with the canker is “wretched and miserable” and they should not be proud in criticising the current regime.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, October 18, he touted his achievements in the fight against the canker as Ghana’s Attorney-General.
“Between August 2021 and September 2022, thirty-three (33) persons including eleven (11) foreign nationals were convicted and sentenced under Act 995 in the Eastern Region. They are currently serving various prison terms of fifteen (15) years, twenty (20) years and eighteen (18 years together with fines imposed. Other convictions were recorded in the Western Region as well with some reported in the media.”
“On 31st August 2023, the Circuit Court, Tarkwa, sentenced 25 people to various terms in prison ranging between 15 and 20 years each together with various hefty fines, following a successful prosecution by the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice.”
“Currently, over 130 cases of illegal mining involving over 800 accused persons are being prosecuted in courts in the Western, Eastern, Ashanti, Greater-Accra and Upper East Regions of Ghana. The cases are at various stages of their conduct with some near conclusion,” an excerpt of his statement said.
Mr Dame added that this has been possible due to the strengthening of the country’s laws since President Akufo-Addo assumed power.
“Following the enactment of the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995) in the administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the punishment regime for illegal mining was drastically enhanced to a minimum of 15 years for a Ghanaian and 20 years for a non-Ghanaian.”
“This rendered prosecution more difficult as culprits, faced with the reality of the lack of an option of a fine, became more reluctant to plead guilty.”
“Despite this, I have recorded greater success in securing conviction for Galamsey offences than witnessed in erstwhile NDC administrations.”
Meanwhile, he insisted that the NDC has no moral right to speak about the issue as its record in fighting the same is worse.
“I consider it ironic for the NDC, whose record in the fight against Galamsey can be described at best, as wretched and miserable, to mount personal attacks on me for the brave efforts in the fight against Galamsey.”
“The record shows that the NDC woefully failed and/or neglected to arrest and prosecute a single kingpin of Galamsey, including the touted Galamsey queen, Aisha Huang.”
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