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A togolese national has been sentenced to 18 years in prison with hard labour for engaging in illegal mining activities at Akyem Mouso in the Atewa West District of the Eastern Region, Ghana.
This verdict follows his arrest during a crackdown on illegal mining, a growing issue in Ghana’s fight against environmental degradation caused by galamsey operations.
The court, presided over by High Court Judge Her Lordship Abigail Animah Asare, who was serving in an additional capacity at the circuit court, convicted Shaibu after he pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit a crime related to illegal mining and engaging in mining without a valid license.
Alongside his prison sentence, he was fined 10,000 penalty units for both counts.
The 18-year prison term will run concurrently, meaning Shaibu will serve both sentences at the same time.
The fine, which translates to a total of 20,000 penalty units, will run consecutively. This means that the financial penalties for each count must be paid separately, increasing the total amount he owes.
Following the court’s decision, the Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners in Akim Oda, Mohammad Amao, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the case.
The court’s actions represent a firm stance against illegal mining, which remains a critical issue in Ghana’s quest to preserve its natural resources and protect its environment from further harm.
