Theophilus Dzimega Junior Esq., a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communication Team, has clarified the controversy surrounding the deportation of foreigners involved in illegal mining, known as galamsey.
Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka announced that the government would deport foreign nationals arrested for galamsey and other crimes, rather than prosecuting them.
The Minister’s announcement was made during an engagement with the Ashanti Regional Police Command in Kumasi on April 4, 2025.
He stated that the decision to deport foreigners was aimed at protecting Ghana’s environment and shielding citizens from fraud perpetrated by foreigners.
However, some Ghanaians have expressed concerns that mere deportation without prosecution may not effectively deter future illicit activities.
Speaking on the Weekly Review on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey, Mr.Dzimega clarified that the Minister’s assertion does not reflect the NDC’s current policy on galamsey.
He explained that the Minister’s statement was an idea floated around and not a concrete policy decision.
According to Dzimega, the government is still working on the policy and has written to the Attorney General for guidance.
Dzimega highlighted the complexities involved in deporting foreigners, citing the need for proper documentation, such as passports.
He referenced a previous case where a group of Chinese nationals were prosecuted and fined, but the Attorney General sought to have them jailed.
The judge ordered their deportation, but the process was complicated by the lack of passports and collaboration with the Chinese embassy.
According to him, “This is not the current policy of the NDC, it’s an idea floated around. Now we have seen the backlash, we are working on it. He said he has written to the AG. But again. let’s get the background that he was talking about; the frustration that her was going through. I was listening a senior who said he was when some Chinese group were prosecuted in the circuit court and they were handed fines. Then the AG said no, we’ve spent over 6months, fines isn’t enough, these guys need to be jailed. They filed application at the Sekondi High Court, got it quashed and the judge ordered the arrested and jail them immediately, the judge asked that they should be deported but these guy had no passports, there are several of them around. You can’t deport anybody without a passport….”
He added, “Now, we’ll prosecute but the deportation is also another thing. Even though the Minister said we’ll deport them, it’s not going to be easy. If you really listen to the Chinese prosecution, so much collaboration between the immigration and the Chinese embassy in Ghana about how to get these guys out of the country. This is not a policy decision that has been there, remember, even if it’s a policy, a policy cannot override the law, the law is clear….”
Mr. Dzimega reassured the public that the NDC is committed to refining its approach to illegal mining in a manner that aligns with the law, ensures justice, and protects national interests.
