The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has revealed that more than 850 individuals are currently facing prosecution for their alleged involvement in illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey.

This disclosure comes amid escalating concerns over the devastating impact of galamsey on Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves.

Speaking at the 2024/2025 annual general conference of the Ghana Bar Association, Mr. Dame highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to combat the menace, with over 140 cases of illegal mining under investigation across five regions: Western, Eastern, Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Upper East.

“Illegal mining, galamsey, continues to cause damage to our forest reserves and water bodies. In the teeth of the difficulties prosecutors encounter in the courts in the prosecution of illegal mining offences, the criminal division has enjoyed some success, even though there is still room for more to be done,” Mr. Dame stated.

He noted that since August 2021, the courts have secured 76 convictions, including that of Aisha Huang, the notorious Chinese galamsey operator.

Huang was convicted on December 4, 2023, for offences committed between 2014 and 2016 under the previous government.

“From August 2021 till date, at least 76 persons including 18 foreigners have been convicted. They include the acclaimed Chinese galamsey queen, Aisha Huang who was convicted on December 4, 2023, of offences committed between 2014 and 2016,” he added.

The Attorney General also emphasised the severity of penalties being imposed on offenders, citing the new law Act 995, which mandates minimum sentences of 15 years and hefty fines for non-Ghanaians, with some cases nearing conclusion.

“Most of the convicts were sentenced under the new law Act 995 for a minimum of 15 years plus a hefty fine for non-Ghanaians. A minimum of 15 years plus a heavy fine in the case of a non-Ghanaian and a minimum of 20 years plus a fine for a non-Ghanaian,” he explained.

Mr. Dame reassured the public of the government's commitment to tackling illegal mining and called on the judiciary to continue playing a crucial role in curbing the practice.