President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed the Attorney General to collaborate with the Chief Justice to expand the number of courts dedicated to prosecuting galamsey-related cases.

Currently, four courts are handling these offences, but the President's move aims to speed up legal proceedings and strengthen enforcement against illegal small-scale mining, which has caused significant environmental degradation across the country.

Speaking on the importance of tackling the galamsey menace, President Akufo-Addo emphasised the need for swift and decisive action.

"The expansion of courts dedicated to illegal mining cases will ensure that justice is delivered faster and more efficiently," he noted.

As part of the government's broader anti-galamsey efforts, the President also instructed the Minister for Defence to increase military personnel deployed to "Operation Halt," the ongoing initiative aimed at dismantling illegal mining operations and protecting water bodies and lands.

The President called for an intensified military presence to bring a firmer grip on illegal activities.

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo directed the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, along with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to immediately suspend the enforcement of L.I 2462, a legislative instrument that regulates mining in forest reserves.

The suspension allows for a review of its impact on efforts to combat illegal mining, potentially leading to reforms that could enhance the country's strategy to safeguard its natural resources.