Thomas Ayertey, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has dismissed claims that the enforcement of Ghana’s illegal mining laws is politically motivated, insisting that the legal framework has existed for years and must be applied without fear or favour.
Speaking on Plan B FM’s EBAANOSEN, hosted by Adomba De-Starboy, Ayertey stated that anyone who breaches the country’s mining laws should be held accountable, regardless of political affiliation. He urged political parties to refrain from turning legal proceedings into partisan propaganda.
He explained that the penalties under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) were significantly strengthened through amendments approved by Parliament, increasing prison terms for certain illegal mining offences from about two years to between 15 and 25 years.
According to Ayertey, critics should familiarise themselves with the law before accusing the government of political persecution, stressing that the ongoing enforcement of the law is rooted in existing legislation rather than political considerations.
He further argued that political parties should not shield members who fall foul of the law. Referring to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), he said the party would be better served by rebuilding its structures and addressing its internal challenges instead of defending individuals facing legal action.
Ayertey warned that unless the NPP undertakes meaningful internal reforms and strengthens its leadership, it could face significant difficulties in the 2028 general elections.
Touching on the issue of clemency, he distinguished between remission and a presidential pardon, explaining that they are separate legal mechanisms with different constitutional implications. He stressed that public discussions on such matters should be guided by the law and constitutional provisions rather than political sentiment or misinformation.
By: Ernest Kumi
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