A 40-year-old farmer has been fined GH¢120,000 by the Nkawie Circuit Court in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality of the Ashanti region, for engaging in illegal mining at Manso Moseaso.  

Akwasi Acheampong pleaded not guilty but was convicted after a full trial.  

He will serve a 15-year jail-term in default of the fine.  

The facts of the case, as presented by ASP Mr Frank Acheampong to the court presided over by Mr Robert Addo, were that the complainant, Mr Yaw Amponsah, a teacher and the convict resided at Moseaso in the Amansie West District.  

He said that on July 07, 2023, the complainant went to his farm at Mmora, near Moseaso, and met the convict with a Liugong excavator and a washing plant, illegally mining.  

He said when the complainant approached and questioned the convict about the reason for mining on his farmland, and the convict mentioned Mr Paul Akuoko Asare, his family head, as the one who authorised him to mine on the land, since it was their family land.  

 A report was made to the Essuowin police, and the two were arrested.  

In their caution statements, the convict admitted the offence, but the family’s head denied it, and after further investigations, they were charged and brought before the court.  

The family head again pleaded not guilty to the charge of abetment of crime before the court and was acquitted and discharged after trial.