{
  "id": 16544483,
  "title": "Officials could face abetment liability for allowing unlicensed mining – Prof Appiagyei-Atua on GoldBod CEO’s comment",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/officials-could-face-abetment-liability-for-allowing-unlicensed",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T22:49:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/officials-could-face-abetment-liability-for-allowing-unlicensed-mining-prof-appiagyei-atua-on-goldbod-ceos-comment/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The University of Ghana School of Law's Professor Appiagyei-Atua has cautioned that officials directing unlicensed mining could face criminal liability. This warning came in response to remarks made by GoldBod's CEO, who proposed allowing mining outside restricted areas once it is regularized. Professor Appiagyei-Atua argued that such an action would contradict Ghana's mining laws, specifically sections 9 and 82 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), which mandate obtaining a license before commencing mining activities. He further pointed out that an official's endorsement of unlicensed mining could make them an abettor under section 20 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). The professor also questioned the compatibility of such directions with constitutional principles of public discretion and environmental protection. Despite advocating for the formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining, Professor Appiagyei-Atua stressed that the illegality arises not from the location but from mining without the requisite authorization. He emphasized that the sequence of registration followed by mining is mandated by law, and registration alone cannot absolve an offender of prior criminal acts. The professor urged the public to seek legal remedies against unlawful mining activities.",
  "summary": "Officials who direct that unlicensed mining be allowed could face liability for abetting a criminal offence, Professor Appiagyei-Atua has warned.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "3News",
        "title": "GoldBod rejects claim CEO Sammy Gyamfi endorsed illegal mining",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/goldbod-rejects-claim-ceo-sammy-gyamfi-endorsed-illegal-mining",
        "published": "2026-10-25T09:01:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Green T defends GoldBod CEO’s cooperative mining remarks, urges support for formalisation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/green-t-defends-goldbod-ceos-cooperative-mining-remarks-urges-support",
        "published": "2026-10-25T18:41:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}