Minister of Lands and Natural Resource, Samuel Abu Jinapor, is optimistic that the state will be victorious in its case against galamsey kingpin, Aisha Huang, whose alleged unlawful activities have destroyed the environment.
For Mr Jinapor, it is imperative the state addresses the case with all the seriousness it deserves so it serves as a signal to other culprits of illegal mining that the government would no longer be dormant in the enforcement of the law.
Speaking to the media, he said “We will prosecute this case with the vigour that it requires so that it will serve as a clear signal in the country that Ghanaian law will be applied and applied to the letter.”
“So let me assure you that prosecution is being waged relentlessly and when it is all said and done we will secure a conviction,” he added.
Aisha Huang (En Huang) is standing trial for her alleged involvement in illegal mining activities after it was found out that she returned to the country despite being repatriated.
Per reports, upon her arrival, she resumed her galamsey activities.
The Attorney-General, Godfred Dame, following reports on her arrival, called for the docket on Aisha Huang from the police to enable his office to prepare a complete docket covering offences from 2018 to the present.
In 2018, the Chinese illegal mining ‘queen’ faced three counts of undertaking small-scale mining operations, contrary to Section 99 (1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703); providing mining support services without valid registration from the Minerals Commission, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and illegal employment of foreigners, contrary to the Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573).
An Accra Circuit Court hearing the case has since September 2022 allowed five witnesses to mount the witness box to testify.
Timothy Teye Ali, a farmer at Sukuumu, Bepotenten, in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region, who was the fifth to appear before the court said Aisha Huang’s activities led to the destruction of River Offin and other water bodies in the Ashanti Region.
Timothy Teye Ali told the court that in 2017, he was contacted by one James Ogbey over his interest in purchasing land to mine gold.
He added that after an assessment of what he had to offer, they came to an agreement on GH¢28,000 as the final charge.
He continued that he was then informed by Ogbey that the accused, Aisha Huang, was on that day elsewhere and for which reason she could not be present with them.