Minerals Commission CEO Calls for Prosecution of Chinese Nationals in Illegal Mining

The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Isaac Andrews Tandoh, has called for the strict enforcement of Ghana's mining laws against Chinese nationals and companies involved in illegal mining, declaring that foreign investors must be held accountable regardless of nationality and that a proposed framework agreement with Beijing will support prosecution on both sides.

Speaking at the China-Ghana Mining Cooperation Conference 2026 in Accra, Tandoh said Ghana's mining regulations apply equally to all operators and that no foreign national or investor should be shielded from sanctions for breaking the law .

"Under the new framework agreement we are doing with the Chinese government, they are supporting us to go ahead and prosecute Chinese who find themselves on the wrong side of the law," Tandoh said. "They will go through the sanctions, and when they go back, Chinese law will also take care of them" .

A Framework With Teeth

The proposed agreement builds on a three-point strategy reached in September 2026 between Ghana's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and China's Ministry of Natural Resources, covering illegal mining enforcement, geological survey cooperation, and responsible investment. Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah said at the time that Chinese nationals found to have broken Ghanaian law would face sanctions in both jurisdictions, with China committing to "police their people who are working in Ghana" .

The September agreement also established a technical team to drive implementation, with China offering satellite remote sensing and airborne geophysical surveys to help Ghana bridge gaps in its geological data .

The Scale of the Problem

Tandoh's call comes amid sustained enforcement action. Between July 2025 and March 2026, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) conducted 122 operations, resulting in 237 arrests—including 144 foreign nationals—the seizure of 94 excavators, and the destruction of 2,647 chanfan platforms .

In October 2026, police detained 46 foreign nationals from China and India accused of illegally dredging the River Offin in the Central Region. More than 4,500 Chinese nationals have been repatriated during the year's crackdowns .

Tandoh himself has previously pursued high-profile cases. In April 2026, the Commission revoked three mining leases held by Adamus Resources after investigations found Chinese nationals engaged in illegal mining on the company's concessions, with company officials subsequently bailing out the arrested foreign nationals. Tandoh described that conduct as "unacceptable" and said the Commission was working with the Attorney-General on criminal prosecution .

Skills, Not Just Sanctions

A major highlight of the Accra conference was the unveiling of the China-Ghana Mining Talent Development Centre (CMTDC), a training and capacity-building hub designed to strengthen technical skills, knowledge exchange, and technology transfer for Ghanaian mining professionals. The centre forms part of broader efforts to deepen Ghana-China cooperation while increasing Ghanaian participation across the mining value chain .

Ghana's engagement with China on mining has also extended to regional partnerships. In November 2026, a Ghanaian delegation attended the China (Guangxi)-ASEAN Mining Cooperation Conference in Nanning, where Ashanti Regional Minister Frank Amoakohene said Ghana aimed to learn from Guangxi's industrial expertise while empowering local engineers and businesses to adopt advanced mining technologies .

The Ambassador's Caution

China's Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Cong Song, addressed the Accra conference, calling for a balanced approach to mining cooperation and cautioning against using Africa's natural resources as instruments of geopolitical rivalry.

"Africa's resources should not be used for political rivalry," Cong said, emphasising the need for mutual respect and recognition of African countries' development priorities in decisions concerning their natural resources .

The partnership's impact, Tandoh acknowledged, will depend on its ability to deliver tangible benefits in responsible mining, environmental protection, technology transfer, and skills development—not merely on the severity of sanctions.

Key Points:

· Framework agreement: Ghana and China developing mechanism for prosecution of Chinese nationals in both jurisdictions

· Prior agreement: September 2026 three-point strategy on enforcement, geological surveys, and responsible investment

· Enforcement record: 237 arrests (144 foreign nationals), 94 excavators seized, 2,647 chanfans destroyed (July 2025–March 2026)

· Recent case: Adamus Resources leases revoked April 2026 after Chinese nationals found mining illegally on concessions

· New initiative: China-Ghana Mining Talent Development Centre unveiled at the conference

· Diplomatic note: Chinese Ambassador warns against using Africa's resources for geopolitical rivalry.