By Grace Zigah
A fresh twist has emerged in the escalating controversy over allegations of illegal mining against three Regional Ministers, as the Ghana Police Service has announced the arrest of the individual who first made the contentious claims.
The suspect, Wendell Nana Yaw Yeboah, was taken into custody on November 26, 2025, following a formal petition submitted to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The petition—filed by civil society advocate Daniel Sasu Omari on behalf of the Ashanti, Eastern, and Western Regional Ministers—urged the CID to investigate allegations made by Yeboah during a live radio interview earlier in the month.
In that broadcast, Nana Yaw Yeboah accused the three ministers of direct involvement in illegal mining activities, claims that went viral and triggered intense national debate.
Although Nana Yaw Yeboah later retracted the allegations and apologised publicly, the ministers insisted that the matter could not be ignored.
They argued that the initial accusations, despite the apology, had already damaged their reputations and fuelled public suspicion. This prompted the petition requesting a full-scale police investigation.
In a press release issued by the CID and signed by Chief Inspector Brigitte Babanawo, the Police confirmed that Yeboah had been arrested “to assist the investigation.”
The statement added that the suspect would be arraigned before court by Thursday, November 27, 2025.
How It Got Here
In this particular case, Nana Yaw Yeboah’s allegations cast a shadow over Dr. Frank Amoakohene (Ashanti), Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey (Eastern), and Joseph Nelson (Western)—all of whom have publicly denied the claims.
Their denials were followed by threats of legal action against individuals spreading “malicious misinformation.”
The petition to the CID was intended to force a formal inquiry that would either validate or debunk the allegations, thereby protecting their public image and restoring trust in government efforts against galamsey.
Why Arrest Someone Who Is “Assisting Investigations”?
The police statement has raised questions among the public, particularly regarding the decision to arrest and detain a suspect who is described as merely assisting with investigations.
In the legal procedure, the police may arrest a person if:
They suspect the person has committed an offence, such as publication of false news, defamation, causing fear and panic, or making false statements about public officials.
The suspect is considered a flight risk, meaning he may abscond if not detained.
The allegations have potential national security implications, such as undermining public trust in state institutions or senior government officials
In this case, Nana Yaw Yeboah’s initial claims—though retracted—were deemed serious enough to warrant detention while investigations proceed.
The likely charges could include false publication, defamation, or offensive conduct, depending on evidence and prosecutorial decision.
Once arraigned, the court will determine whether he should be granted bail or remanded, based on legal arguments presented by police prosecutors and Nana Yaw Yeboah’s lawyers.
