The Public Tribunals Bill is expected to speed up galamsey cases nationwide
President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that Cabinet has approved the Public Tribunals Bill, a key intervention aimed at speeding up the prosecution of illegal mining cases nationwide.
The Bill seeks to relieve the traditional court system of the growing backlog of galamsey-related cases and ensure faster, more efficient justice.
Speaking during a meeting with the Christian Council at Jubilee House on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, President Mahama explained that the public tribunals will handle illegal mining cases swiftly, making justice more visible and effective.
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He stated, “What the Cabinet did was to pass the Public Tribunals Bill so that we will push issues related to illegal mining to the public tribunals. They will adjudicate faster and ensure that justice is seen to be done. If this comes into effect, we will be able to process cases against illegal mining even quicker.”
The move forms part of a broader strategy to curb environmental destruction and protect Ghana’s forests, rivers, and farmlands from the adverse effects of illegal mining. The government believes that faster adjudication will not only serve as a deterrent but also strengthen national resolve against environmentally harmful practices.
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Beyond legal reforms, President Mahama outlined a long-term vision to build a resilient governance and economic system that future administrations cannot easily dismantle. He emphasised that Ghana must develop strong institutions capable of withstanding political transitions, particularly in times of regional and global instability.
“My mission is to use the mandate Ghanaians have given me to move Ghana to a level where anybody who comes after cannot reverse the gains that we have made,” he said.
He also pointed out the administration’s intensified efforts to improve governance, strengthen accountability, and stabilise the economy.
This includes pursuing corruption-related cases involving officials from the previous administration, signalling a renewed commitment to protecting public resources.
Successive governments in Ghana have long struggled to tackle galamsey effectively, largely due to slow court processes and weak enforcement mechanisms.
Many cases drag on for years, allowing environmental degradation and illegal operations to continue unchecked.
The Public Tribunals Bill is expected to change that by providing a faster, more efficient legal framework to prosecute galamsey offenders.
By ensuring swift justice, the Bill is expected to strengthen enforcement and act as a deterrent, helping to protect Ghana’s forests, rivers, and farmlands for current and future generations.
JKB/BAI
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