727 on trial for galamsey - AG - Adomonline.com

A total of 727 individuals are currently standing trial across the country over their alleged involvement in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, the Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has disclosed.

Under Section 99 of Act 995, a Ghanaian engaged in illegal mining, or one who commands, instigates or employs others to engage in illegal mining commits an offence and is liable, upon summary conviction, to a fine of not less than 10,000 penalty units (GH¢120,000) and not more than 15,000 penalty units (GH¢180,000) and to a term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years and not more than 25 years.

For a foreigner engaged in illegal mining, Act 995 stipulates a fine of not less than 100,000 penalty units (GH¢1.2 million) and not more than 300,000 penalty units (GH¢3.6 million) and a term of imprisonment of not less 20 years and not more than 25 years, or both the fine and the term of imprisonment.

The A-G said the passage of Act 995 in 2019 was a demonstration by the Akufo-Addo administration that it would not leave any stone unturned in the fight against illegal mining, and would go all out, including making sure such people were prosecuted and punished accordingly.

Despite the successes and the dedication by his outfit to fight illegal mining on the legal front, Mr Dame said the prosecution of suspected galamsey offenders were fraught with serious challenges.

The fight against the menace was declared by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who, in 2017, said his administration would go all out to stop illegal mining.

However, six years after President Akufo-Addo started the fight against illegal mining, many critics say his government has failed to deal with the problem.