Judiciary to set up three special High Courts for illegal mining cases

Ghana’s Judiciary is creating three dedicated High Courts to handle illegal mining prosecutions, Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Puamang has revealed.

Speaking at the Annual Chief Justice’s Mentoring Programme in Accra on Wednesday, 17 December, Justice Puamang said the courts will focus heavily on cases arising from the work of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and related state actions.

He indicated that the specialised courts are expected to become operational early next year, adding that three High Court judges have already been assigned and their courtrooms are currently being refurbished so they can sit exclusively on NAIMOS-linked and other state cases.

Justice Puamang said the move underscores the Judiciary’s determination to confront illegal mining and will also support efforts to recover state assets lost through unlawful mining activities.

The mentoring programme, which targets Senior High School students, is aimed at instilling justice-focused values, inspiring interest in judicial careers and preparing future “custodians of the law”. This year’s event was held on the theme: “Advocating Greener, Sustainable Justice: The Environment and Justice.”

Also addressing participants, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah reiterated government’s commitment to clamping down on galamsey. He disclosed that tracking of imported earth-moving equipment has so far led to the seizure of more than 1,000 excavators, now in the Ministry’s custody.

Both officials stressed that only a coordinated response between the courts and the executive will deliver lasting gains in the fight against illegal mining and help safeguard the environment.