The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has lamented the severe impact of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, on Ghana’s environment.
He stressed the need for more efficient prosecution processes rather than the establishment of special courts.
In an interview on JoyNews‘ The Pulse on Thursday, November 7, Mr Dame expressed deep concern about the environmental degradation caused by galamsey, emphasising that it not only damages the environment but also undermines efforts in the fight against corruption.
He added, “It is very important that we deal with it in a way that shows a total rejection of the practice by the entire citizenry.”
While acknowledging the creation of special courts to address galamsey-related cases, Mr Dame pointed out that the core issue lies not in the establishment of specialised courts, but in the speed and efficiency with which these cases are processed.
“For me, the solution to deal with galamsey is not setting up special courts. The solution to deal with galamsey is expediting the processes for prosecution of illegal mining offenses,” he stated.
The Attorney General also criticised the current handling of galamsey cases in the courts, calling it “unwarranted” that such cases are often treated like “business as usual.”
He condemned the frequent adjournments granted by judges, which he said only prolong the problem and allow illegal mining activities to continue unchecked.
“We go to courts all the time and we lament the adjournments granted by the judges,” he remarked, adding that more attention and urgency must be given to such cases.
The Attorney General further stressed that galamsey is a serious issue that transcends political lines, as its destructive impact on the environment affects all Ghanaians.
“There cannot be a political stance taken on galamsey because whether the environment is good or bad, it affects all of us,” Dame said, urging a unified national response to tackle the crisis.
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