The Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame has signaled the readiness of government to fastrack the prosecution of Aisha Huang and others on trial for illegal mining.

According to him, the state is ready to conduct the trial on a day-to-day basis.

He added that the judge superintending over the case has “also indicated his inclination to conduct the case in that manner.”

“In respect of Aisha Huang, we have filed most of the documents to be relied on, we have filed witness statement of four witnesses. We only need to file about four more,” he said.

The Attorney-General said due to the additional witnesses needed to see through the prosecution, they requested a week and the “judge of course for his discretion decided to adjourn to 24th or so for us to come and conduct the case.”

The Lands Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor was also present at the High Court to lead government’s efforts in the prosecution of Aisha Huang.

Background

Aisha Huang and three others are accused of engaging in illegal mining and engaging in the sale of minerals without a license.

Fresh charges filed against her on September 16, 2022, are:

Count One: Undertaking a mining operation without a licence contrary to section 99(2)(a) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, Act 703 as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act 2019, Act 995.

Count Two: Facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation contrary to section 99 (2)(a) & (3) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, Act 703 as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act 2019, Act 995.

Count Three: Illegal employment of foreign nationals contrary to section 24 of the Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573).

Count Four: Entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry contrary to section 20(4) of the Immigration Act, 2000, Act 573.