Attorney-General Urges Courts to Expedite Galamsey Cases, Conclude within a Month

In the midst of growing concerns over the devastating impact of illegal mining in Ghana, Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame has called on Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo to ensure a faster resolution of galamsey cases in court.

Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Judges and Magistrates in Accra, Mr. Dame expressed frustration over the slow pace of justice and urged the Chief Justice to instruct judges to conclude galamsey cases within a month.

He emphasized that timely justice would serve as a deterrent to those involved in illegal mining, which continues to cause severe harm to the country’s forests and water bodies.

The Attorney-General pointed out that amendments made to the Minerals and Mining Act in 2019, which impose harsh penalties for galamsey offenses—15 years minimum imprisonment for Ghanaians and 20 years for non-Ghanaians, along with hefty fines—are undermined by delays in the courts.

“Convictions are being secured, but progress is slow,” he said. “Over 140 illegal mining cases, involving more than 850 accused individuals, are currently pending in courts across several regions, including Western, Eastern, Ashanti, Greater-Accra, and Upper East.

Some of these cases have been pending since 2020. This situation is unacceptable. We are facing a national crisis, and all institutions must act swiftly.”