OccupyGhana delighted with changes in Aisha Huang galamsey case
Pressure group, OccupyGhana have expressed delight with the changes in charges filed by the state in the case involving The Republic versus En Huang and four others.
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Earlier, the state had officially charged the five accused persons with two immigration offences and two other offences under the Minerals and Mining Act.
The initial were: undertaking small-scale mining operations, contrary to Section 99 (1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, (Act 703), and providing mine support services without valid registration with the Minerals Commission, contrary to Section 59 and 99 (2) of the Minerals and Mining Act.
The rest are the illegal employment of foreign nationals, contrary to Section 24 of the Immigration Act, 200 (Act 573) and Regulation 18(1) of the Ghana Immigration Regulations, 2001 (L.I.1691), and disobedience of directive given under the Immigration Act 2000 (Act 573).
En Huang also known as Aisha Huang and four of her compatriots — Gao Jin Cheng, Lu Qi Ju, Haibin Gao and Zhang Zhipeng — have been on remand since May 9, 2017, with their lawyers making frantic efforts to secure them bail.
However, the group in a statement today said the initial charges filed against the quintet did not reflect the severity of the alleged acts of illegal mining.
It added that the new charges give the State the opportunity to prosecute for the proper offences and also affords the accused persons the opportunity to defend themselves against those charges.
They also commended the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, and other media houses for the collective efforts they are making to bring the menace of illegal mining (popularly referred to as galamsey) under control.
Read the entire statement below;
OCCUPYGHANA® PRESS STATEMENT
REPUBLIC V. EN HUANG & 4 OTHERS - OCCUPYGHANA® ACKNOWLEDGES CHANGES IN CHARGES
OccupyGhana® is happy to learn that the charges filed in court in the case of Republic v. En Huang & 4 Others, where the accused persons are alleged to have been engaged in illegal mining in Ghana, have been amended and fresh charges brought, this time under the provisions of the Minerals & Mining Act.
It would be recalled that although the accused persons had been arrested for allegedly being engaged in illegal mining, the charges filed against them in court were relatively minor immigration offences that did not reflect the severity of the alleged acts.
OccupyGhana® consequently obtained a certified copy of the Charge Sheet and immediately petitioned the Attorney-General over the charges, requesting the filing of the proper charges under the Minerals & Mining Act.
OccupyGhana® is therefore gratified that the proper charges have now been filed. It gives the State the opportunity to prosecute for the proper offences and also affords the accused persons the opportunity to defend themselves against those charges.
The fight against galamsey is multifaceted, and it is only when we all put our shoulders to the wheel and occupy our democratic space that things will work. In this direction, OccupyGhana® would like to commend the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, and other media houses for the collective efforts they are making to bring the menace under control.
To reiterate our earlier call to the Government and all Ghanaians that the fight against illegal mining in Ghana is a fight to protect, not only the present, but the future of this country. It is therefore imperative that the law must be applied to all who fall foul of it, without fear or favour.
Yours in the service of God and Country,
OccupyGhana®
