Controversial Chinese national, Aisha Huang who is standing trial for her alleged involvement in illegal mining activities in Ghana, has denied ever being involved in galamsey or illegal mining.

Aisha Huang denied the charge in Accra on Monday, July 10, 2023 when she opened her defence before the High Court.

According to Huang in her defence statement, neither she nor her firm has ever been engaged in any mining activity, besides she does not possess a mining license.

“Neither my company nor myself have engaged in mining or facilitated mining in any form by any person or group of persons.

“I do not know and have not been to any of the sites captured in the videos, pictures and maps tendered in evidence by the prosecution witnesses,” she told the court presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo.

Aisha Huang who was deported in 2018 but managed to re-enter Ghana under yet to be clarified circumstances, is facing charges of engaging in illegal mining activities without a license.

The state presented 11 witnesses who testified to her involvement in 'galamsey' in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region.

However, Huang argues that the evidence presented by the prosecution is false and maintained her plea of not guilty on the three counts of undertaking a mining operation without a license.

She also denied facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation and the illegal employment of foreigners.

Meanwhile, her son, Huang Lei, was convicted and sentenced to a fine of GH¢10,800 for remaining in Ghana after the expiration of his permit.

He was also charged with possession of ammunition without lawful authority, and possession of forged official documents.

Lei initially pleaded not guilty, however, in December 2022, he changed his plea to guilty. Consequently, he was sentenced to a fine of GH¢10,800 and deportation