By; Kekeli K. Blamey
Shaibu Yaw, a Togolese national, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison with hard labor by the Koforidua Circuit Court A for his involvement in illegal mining activities at Akyem Mouso in the Atewa West District of the Eastern Region.
This ruling formed part of a broader effort to combat the rampant issue of illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey,” which has significantly contributed to environmental degradation in Ghana.
Shaibu was arrested during a crackdown on illegal mining operations and pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit a crime related to illegal mining and engaging in mining without a valid license.
The court, presided over by High Court Judge Her Lordship Abigail Animah Asare, imposed the sentence in response to his admissions of guilt.
In addition to the prison term, Shaibu was fined 10,000 penalty units for each count, totaling 20,000 penalty units.
The prison sentence will be served concurrently, while the fines will be applied consecutively, requiring Shaibu to pay the amounts separately for each charge.
This sentence is not an isolated incident, as Ghanaian courts have been taking a strong stance against illegal mining.
Recently, the Tarkwa Circuit Court sentenced 25 illegal miners to a total jail term of 115 years for illegally mining at five different galamsey sites.
