The convener for the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, Ken Ashigbey, has emphasised the need for harsher sanctions against Aisha Huang to serve as a deterrent, not only to individuals involved in illegal mining but also to large companies.
Speaking on Newsfile on JoyNews, he stated that although he is pleased that the ‘galamsey’ kingpin has been convicted, many mining companies have illegally mined in forest reserves in the country, resulting in dire destruction to the country and its citizens.
He explained that, as such, this sentencing needs to be harsh so not only to make up for the destruction Aisha Huang’s galamsey activities caused but also to serve as a warning to mining companies.
“I’m hoping that the Attorney General would go to court and be able to exact the maximum 25-year jail sentence and the maximum fine that would be imposed on her so that the people of Bepotenten and all of those whose lands have been desecrated, we would begin to restore those lands.”
[embedded content]He added that this would deter companies that have been mining illegally in forest reserves. “It’s to tell them that the dawn has now come, that they, the influential ones who are behind galamsey, when they are caught with the power of the citizenry, we will bring enough pressure and they will face the law.”
Mr. Ashigbey drew attention to the dire consequences of such destructive activities, pointing out instances where children are born with some abnormalities and the once-thriving cocoa industry, a backbone of the country’s economy, facing unprecedented threats.
“Then you have the situation where you are being told that you will very soon be importing water…the situation where this particular act that Aisha Huang has been involved in could result in wars with your neighbour because your activities are polluting their waters.”
“It should tell you that this is existential. So the same way that when somebody commits treason, you know you exact the maximum sanction, that is what you need to do. Two things that it will do is the fact that the person who has done it needs to pay for her actions.”
“Bear in mind it is not only the 20 to 25 years; Act 955 also increases the fine, you know the cost of restoration of the water bodies and the land that have been destroyed. It also has to signal to all of us that this is not something that if you do, you will come back and join us again. It’s the reason why we need to ensure that Aisha Huang gets the maximum sentence.”
This comes after an Accra High Court convicted Aisha Huang of mining offences.
The ‘galamsey queen’ was sentenced to 4 and a half years in prison in addition to a fine of GH₵48,000.
The Chinese national, also known as En Huang, was standing trial for undertaking a mining operation without a license, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in mining operations, the illegal employment of foreigners, and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry.
However, her sentence has been met with dissatisfaction from stakeholders and a section of the general public, with many calling for stricter punishment under Act 955.
As a result, the Attorney General announced his decision to appeal the ruling and call for the maximum punishment for illegal miners.
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