The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has revealed that the newly proposed Special Tribunal Court’s bill to fast truck illegal mining cases will be tabled before parliament as soon as it resumes from recess.
The Ministry assured that this new bill when passed, will see to the speedy delivery of justice regarding galamsey and the traditional stucking of cases in our courts will be a thing of the past.
In a press briefing, the Director of Communications at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Mawusi Ama Mawuenyefia reaffirmed that this initiative is a comprehensive strategy to address the environmental and economic devastation caused by unregulated mining activities across the country.
According to Mawusi, a bill for the creation of these special tribunal courts was recently discussed in Cabinet and is set to be tabled before Parliament when it resumes.
“So in the coming days, when Parliament resumes, we’re likely to see that bill laid, and we’re going to see faster prosecutions for illegal mining cases as we go along.”
Mawusi Ama Mawuenyefia, Director of Communications at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
In a decisive move to tackle the scourge of illegal mining, the government announced in its manifesto plans to establish specialized tribunal courts to expedite the prosecution of offenders.
Political Will and Commitment
The government’s resolve to tackle illegal mining is evident in the Ministry’s unwavering stance. “There is political will, and this government is resolved, I’m waving in your commitment to bringing an end to this threat,” the Ministry assured
The Ministry also dismissed any notion that the problem would disappear quickly. “But what we can assure the people of Ghana is that there is political will, and this government is resolved,” the Ministry added.
While the establishment of the special tribunal courts is a significant step, the government’s strategy extends beyond enforcement. The Ministry highlighted the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Program, which is aimed at engaging communities and bringing on board large-scale companies to promote responsible mining practices.
“So far, we have engaged about 50 communities, and the conversations are ongoing.
“We have about 10 large-scale mining companies coming on board, and we are wrapping up the conversations of seizing of certain portions of their concessions to the local community.”
Mawusi Ama Mawuenyefia, Director of Communications at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
Recognizing the importance of stakeholder engagement, the government has made it a key component of its approach. “We are deliberately engaging stakeholders, driving education, and raising awareness,” the ministry emphasized.
This collaborative approach has already yielded results, with the Ministry revealing that close to 1,000 arrests have been made over the period. “We have seen several arrests, and our Attorney General is working on prosecutions,” Mawusi stated.
Commitment and Transparency
The government’s commitment to the fight against illegal mining is unwavering, as the Ministry pledged to inform the public to ensure transparency.
“We will keep at it, and then we will keep the engagement weekly so that the people of Ghana are aware of everything that is going on in the fight against illegal mining.”
Mawusi Ama Mawuenyefia, Director of Communications at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
Furthermore, the ministry promised to share videos of the various activities and initiatives undertaken in the fight against illegal mining, providing the public with a comprehensive view of the ongoing efforts.
The establishment of the special tribunal courts, coupled with the government’s holistic approach and unwavering commitment, represents a significant step forward in Ghana’s battle against the scourge of illegal mining.
As reiterated by the Ministry, there is political will, and the government is resolved in bringing an end to this persistent threat to the country’s environment, economy, and the well-being of its citizens.
