President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says government’s decision to deport Chinese national, Aisha Huang after her reported involvement in illegal mining was a mistake.
Speaking at a forum at Princeton University as part of his visit to the US, the President said the decision to deport Aisha, on hindsight was a mistake and that is why the process and procedure is being stopped.
Aisha Huang, had been 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, and the illegal employment of foreign nationals, contrary to the Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573).
During the prosecution, government discontinued the case and deported her in December 2018.
More controversy followed when the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Marfo, at a town hall meeting in the US suggested that Aisha Huang did not face the full rigours of the law for diplomatic reasons.
But with recent changes in the country’s mining laws, a foreigner engaged in illegal mining now faces a term of imprisonment of not less than 20 years and not more than 25 years.
Responding to a question by a Ghanaian resident in the US state of Colorado on government officials allegedly involved in galamsey, the President wondered why the Ghanaian, one Solomon Owusu, had not come forward with evidence.
He said People make these statements but they never come forward with any evidence.
The President stressed that he was interested in getting hold of information that will allow a proper investigation to be carried out.
