The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has called on judges handling illegal mining, or galamsey, cases to expedite trials and ensure their completion within the next month, as the new legal year begins in 2024/2025.
He made this appeal during the annual conference of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG), held on October 2, 2024, at the Labadi Beach Hotel.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Dame emphasized that the speedy resolution of galamsey cases would act as a strong deterrent to others considering engaging in such illegal activities.
He acknowledged that delays in justice delivery have been a long-standing issue in Ghana and lamented the slow pace of prosecuting illegal mining cases.
He explained, “One persistent criticism of our justice system is the slow pace at which cases are resolved. This is particularly concerning in illegal mining cases, which have devastating effects on our forests and water bodies.”
140 Pending galamsey cases nationwide
The Attorney General highlighted that the slow adjudication of galamsey cases has weakened efforts to combat illegal mining. While Ghana’s 2019 amendment to the Minerals and Mining Act imposed harsh penalties—15 years imprisonment for Ghanaians and 20 years for non-Ghanaians—Dame noted that the slow prosecution of offenders has diminished the law’s intended deterrent effect.
“There are currently over 140 illegal mining cases involving more than 850 accused persons pending in courts across regions such as the Western, Eastern, Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Upper East. Some cases have been pending since 2020. This is unacceptable in a time of national crisis,” he said.
He urged judges handling these cases to wrap up trials within a month of the new legal year starting on October 10, 2024, adding that swift resolution of these cases would significantly contribute to justice and curb the damage caused by illegal mining.
Politicians urged to avoid galamsey rhetoric
The Attorney General also advised politicians to avoid rhetoric or actions that could encourage illegal mining.
He condemned any calls for amnesty for galamsey offenders, stressing that such crimes have dire consequences for the environment and the future of the nation.
“There should be no place for the grant of amnesty for these crimes in our political discourse. The lives of our citizens and the future of our nation are at stake,” he warned.
Improved conditions of service for judges
In addition to addressing galamsey cases, Mr. Dame assured magistrates and judges that his office is committed to improving their working conditions.
He pledged to collaborate with the Judicial Service of Ghana to enhance the welfare and security of members of the judiciary.
“The contribution of this administration to improving the judiciary’s infrastructure is well documented. Over the last eight years, the government has constructed over 100 courthouses, 120 bungalows, and advanced the digitization of the judiciary,” he stated.
He reiterated his support for ongoing efforts to create a safer and healthier working environment for judges and magistrates, emphasizing that improved security and welfare are crucial for effective justice delivery
