Yakubu Abanga (the second) and his brother Abanga Yakubu Fuseini
Abanga Yakubu Fuseini, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for the Aowin Constituency in the 2024 elections, has stated that he cannot vouch for his twin brother, Yakubu Abanga (the second), who is the National 3rd Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), over his alleged involvement in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking in an interview with Joy News at the NPP’s Delegates Conference on July 19, 2025, Fuseini said that although he has not personally seen his brother engaging in galamsey, he believes his brother is capable of doing it as an NDC member.
“To me, as an NPP member, I am happy that EOCO should investigate my brother. I want more news that will allow me to send a message to Ghanaians because Mahama promised us he was going to fight galamsey and make it a thing of the past,” he stated.
When asked whether he believed his twin brother was indeed involved in galamsey, he responded, “In fact, I can’t defend any NDC person; they are capable of doing anything. But to me, I have never seen him doing galamsey.”
He further added that there is no NDC member in the country that he can defend, stressing that he wishes to see “more bad news” emerging from the opposition party and the ruling government.
It may be recalled that the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, directed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to launch a full-scale investigation into alleged illegal mining activities involving Joseph Yamin, the National Organiser of the NDC, and Yakubu Abanga.
In a letter dated Tuesday, July 15, 2025, the Attorney-General instructed EOCO to invite the two individuals named in recent reports for interrogation over their suspected involvement in unauthorised mining operations, commonly referred to as galamsey.
The directive follows rising public concern, intelligence assessments, and extensive media coverage of illegal mining, which continues to threaten Ghana’s water bodies, forest reserves, and rural livelihoods.
“These activities not only flout our mining regulations but also gravely endanger our water bodies, forest reserves, and local livelihoods,” the letter emphasised.
Dr Ayine also asked EOCO to broaden its probe to cover other persons found complicit, with special attention to issues raised in the Prof Frimpong-Boateng report on illegal mining.
Additionally, the Attorney-General called for collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, given the agency’s regulatory role, to support and guide the investigative process.
“My own brother campaigned against me!” – NPP’s Abanga blames his twin, NDC’s 3rd Vice Chairman Yakubu Abanga, for losing his Aowin seat, saying they don’t share the same ideology. #ElectionsHQ #JoyNewsFocus pic.twitter.com/CD1Cyhf3e6
— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) July 19, 2025
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GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey