The Government’s choice to deport foreign nationals engaged in illegal mining and other criminal activities, instead of prosecuting them domestically, has elicited varied responses from the public. Some Ghanaians have raised concerns about the disparity in treatment, questioning why local citizens committing similar crimes face prosecution in Ghana while foreign offenders are simply repatriated.
Officials from the Ministry of the Interior have indicated that Ghana’s diplomatic missions, including the Embassy in China, closely monitor these legal proceedings and provide the Ministry with regular updates.
In a recent enforcement operation, 30 Chinese nationals apprehended for participating in illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, were repatriated and transferred to Chinese immigration authorities at Kotoka International Airport. The transfer, overseen by Superintendent Li Ran, Head of Airport Operations, was described by sources as being conducted in a “courteous and professional manner.”
The source further noted that the Chinese government has shown support for Ghana’s measures, labeling the involvement of its citizens in illegal mining as “shameful” and detrimental to the robust diplomatic ties between the two nations.
“Foreigners detained for illegal mining frequently take advantage of weaknesses in the judicial system,” the source elaborated. “They cultivate relationships within security agencies and strategically select courts that provide lenient bail conditions. After securing bail, they often move to different regions and continue their illegal operations, while court proceedings can extend for years without resolution.”
Since Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak took office as Minister for the Interior, over 100 foreign nationals, including Chinese individuals, have been deported for offenses related to illegal mining and other crimes.
Officials from the Interior Ministry emphasized that the deportation policy is not intended to benefit foreigners but to prevent the exploitation of Ghana’s legal framework and to protect national interests. “The objective is to facilitate prompt justice and minimize the likelihood of repeat offenses by individuals who take advantage of court delays and lenient bail conditions,” remarked one official.
Ghanaian citizens implicated in collusion with foreign illegal miners are being prosecuted domestically, with the Ministry asserting that there are no exceptions to this rule.
During a meeting with law enforcement officers in the Ashanti Region, the Interior Minister issued a strong warning to police and prosecutors. He admonished against the practice of changing the identities of foreign suspects to evade deportation, emphasizing that those who engage in such actions would face disciplinary measures.
The Ministry is also collaborating closely with the embassies of the deported individuals to facilitate the repatriation process. While the embassies are responsible for the airfare of their nationals, the Government of Ghana covers the travel costs for Immigration Service officers who accompany them.
According to the Ministry, this strategy not only bolsters international collaboration in combating transnational crime but also improves national security and the effectiveness of the justice system. Images released by immigration authorities depict Chinese nationals being escorted and welcomed by Chinese officials upon their return for prosecution on charges related to illegal mining and fraud.
