Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame, has issued a strong directive to judges handling illegal mining (galamsey) cases, urging them to conclude ongoing trials within one month, starting from the new legal year on October 10, 2024.

Addressing the Annual Conference of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG), Mr. Dame emphasized the urgent need for swift justice in cases related to galamsey, which has caused significant environmental damage across the country.

He expressed concern over the slow pace at which these cases are being handled in courts, highlighting that more than 140 galamsey cases, involving over 850 accused individuals, remain pending—some dating back to 2020.

"This situation is unacceptable," Mr. Dame stated, pointing to the severe harm that illegal mining has inflicted on Ghana’s forests and water bodies.

He called on the Judiciary and all other stakeholders to act swiftly, noting that the slow resolution of these cases undermines the government's efforts to combat the menace.

"We are in an urgent national crisis, and all citizens and institutions with a role to play must be called to action," the Attorney General said.

He reminded the Judiciary that the 2019 amendments to the Minerals and Mining Act introduced stiffer penalties for convicted illegal miners, including a minimum 15-year prison term for Ghanaians and a 20-year minimum sentence for foreigners, in addition to heavy fines.

However, Mr. Dame lamented that despite these tough penalties, the slow rate of convictions has rendered them ineffective.

“Convictions are secured, but they come in trickles,” he remarked, urging judges to prioritize the adjudication of galamsey cases.

He respectfully requested that all judges presiding over galamsey trials wrap up cases within a month of the start of the legal year.

"Your Ladyship, I therefore call on you to direct all judges sitting on galamsey cases to conclude hearings within one month from the commencement of the legal year," Mr. Dame appealed.

The Attorney General also criticized political leaders who advocate for amnesty for galamsey offenders, arguing that such rhetoric only worsens the situation.

"Politicians must desist from encouraging galamsey through their rhetoric and actions.

Those who preach amnesty for galamsey offenders must be rejected," he stressed.

He made it clear that leniency should not be an option when dealing with crimes that pose a threat to the environment and the future of the nation.