The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine to make public investigation records on illegal mining cases involving individuals from both the governing party and the opposition.
According to the caucus, publishing the records would promote transparency and help address concerns over fairness in the handling of illegal mining-related prosecutions.
In a statement signed by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the caucus said the disclosure should include updates on investigations involving National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Organiser Joseph Yamin and the party’s National Vice Chairman, Yakubu Abanga, over their alleged links to illegal mining activities.
The call follows the conviction and sentencing of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, who was handed a 20-year prison term with hard labour by an Accra High Court over illegal mining offences.
The Minority said Dr Ayine had not provided any update on investigations into Yamin and Abanga despite formally writing to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on the matter.
The caucus also referenced allegations involving the Member of Parliament for Prestea Huni Valley and the MP for Asutifi North, who was arraigned over claims of obstructing an anti-galamsey task force before being granted bail of GH¢150,000.
Describing Wontumi’s conviction as “selective justice”, the Minority argued that a government committed to ending selective justice must also ensure that persons within its own ranks face similar scrutiny.
“A government that is serious of ending selective justice must be prepared to prosecute its own with the same vigour it has shown here,” the statement said.
The caucus further raised concerns about the High Court’s decision not to refer constitutional matters arising from the case to the Supreme Court for interpretation under Article 130 of the 1992 Constitution.
Citing the 2016 case involving Tsatsu Tsikata, the Minority argued that the court’s decision in Wontumi’s case raises important questions about constitutional practice and the rule of law.
“If trial courts may decline referral whenever they are personally persuaded of their own correctness, then Article 130 is rendered a dead letter, accessible in theory, illusion in practice,” the statement said.
The Minority called on the judiciary to clarify the threshold for constitutional referrals under Article 130 to ensure that lower courts continue to respect Supreme Court precedents.
It also demanded greater consistency and transparency in the administration of justice while reaffirming its support for Boasiako.
“The Minority Caucus will continue to monitor this matter, including any appeal, and will pursue every lawful and constitutional avenue available to us to see that justice is done and that the defects that have robbed this judgment of its legitimacy are addressed fully, transparently, and without fear,” the statement added.
