Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie says government must act now
The Acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has asserted that the menace of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, has become worse.
Speaking at the 2025 Ghana Bar Association Conference, which was held in the Upper West regional capital, Wa, on Monday, September 15, 2025, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie called on the government to take action.
He urged the government to address the menace as a matter of urgency.
“Galamsey has become worse; the time to act is now,” the Acting Chief Justice is reported to have said.
State of emergency on galamsey is still on the table – Kwakye Ofosu
He suggested that the government could start by banning mining in forest reserves if it is serious about tackling galamsey.
He, therefore, called on the government to repeal L.I. 2462, which allows mining in forest reserves.
“We cannot continue to dither in September 2025 on the repeal of L.I. 2462 that has permitted mining in forest reserves. It is a good place to start if we sincerely want to win the war against galamsey. The time to act is now without any further delay,” the Acting Chief Justice is quoted to have said.
His remarks follow criticism of President John Dramani Mahama’s comments on his government’s fight against galamsey at his first encounter with the media.
The president said that there was no need for him to declare a state of emergency on galamsey now.
He pointed out that his government had not exhausted all legal measures, adding that declaring a state of emergency would be a last resort.
Repeal L.I 2462 now -Justice Baffoe Bonnie to government pic.twitter.com/ImEwjCrxUJ
— The Law Platform (@DeLaw_Platform) September 15, 2025
Chief Justice urges action by government against Galamsey pic.twitter.com/Pksi5pcvGr
— The Law Platform (@DeLaw_Platform) September 15, 2025
BAI
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