Three individuals have been charged in Ghana for their alleged roles in illegal mining activities connected to the controversial case of Aisha Huang, a Chinese national previously accused of engaging in illegal mining, or galamsey.

The accused face charges of conspiracy to undertake mining without a license, in breach of Section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and Section 99(2)(a) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Act 995 of 2019.

Charges Detailed

Li Wei Guo: Accused of falsely obtaining a work permit, violating Section 52(1)(e) of the Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573).

Shi Mei Zhi and Nana Kwame Opoku (alias Obolo): Charged with falsely acquiring residence permits under the same immigration law.

Third Accused: Allegedly facilitated illegal mining activities involving non-Ghanaians, contravening Section 99(5)(b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006.

Investigation and Arrest

The charges follow an investigation launched in September 2022 after intelligence from the Ministry of National Security in Kumasi. Law enforcement arrested the suspects at their residence in Paraku Estates near Daaban in the Ashanti Region.

Authorities claim the first and second accused were actively involved in illegal mining operations.

Legal Proceedings

Court hearings are ongoing, with the second accused’s cross-examination concluding on 13 November. The third accused began presenting a defence on 14 November.

The case highlights Ghana’s crackdown on illegal mining and violations of immigration laws, as the government seeks to address environmental damage and regulatory breaches linked to galamsey activities.

Source:TheDotNews