Akufo-Addo admits mistake in deportation of Chinese Galamsey Queen Aisha Huang

September 21, 2019 6:35 AM

President Nana Akufo-Addo says the deportation of Aisha Huang from Ghana, following her involvement in illegal mining (galamsey), was a 'mistake.'

'Galamsey queen' Aisha Huang

“I think the decision to deport Aisha Huang in hindsight was a mistake and that is why that process and procedure is being stopped,” he said at a forum at Princeton University in the United States.

He, however, noted that that the law has been enhanced to punished both locals and foreigners involved in galamsey.

According to him, a foreigner engaged in illegal mining now faces a term of imprisonment of not less than 20 years and not more than 25 years per the amended Minerals and Mining Act.

Huang, nicknamed Galamsey Queen, was arrested and arraigned before court on May 9, 2017, for engaging in galamsey activities at Bepotenten in the Amansie Central District in the Ashanti Region.

She was charged with three counts of undertaking small-scale mining operations, contrary to Section 99 (1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703); providing mining support services without valid registration with the Minerals Commission, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and the illegal employment of foreign nationals, contrary to the Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573).

However, the case discontinued and she was subsequently deported from Ghana.