The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has announced that government is moving to establish special tribunal courts to expedite the prosecution of illegal mining cases, as part of renewed efforts to clamp down on the menace of “galamsey.”
At a press briefing in Accra, the Ministry disclosed that Cabinet has already laid a bill before Parliament to create specialized courts that will handle environmental and natural resource-related offences. Illegal mining, which has been described as one of the most pressing national challenges, will be a key focus.
According to the Ministry, nearly 1,500 arrests have been made in connection with illegal mining activities in recent months, with the Attorney General’s office actively pursuing prosecutions.
“The law is the law. If you break it, there will be consequences. We are resolved and unwavering in our commitment to bring an end to this threat,” the Ministry emphasized.
Officials stressed that while stakeholder engagement, education, and awareness campaigns remain central to the government’s strategy, enforcement will be uncompromising. The Ministry assured Ghanaians that the political will exists to sustain the fight against illegal mining, even as the problem is unlikely to disappear overnight.
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