The Chief Justice has been trading blame with the Attorney General over the failure of the justice system to expedite the prosecution of persons suspected to have engaged in illegal mining.

It has emerged there are more than 140 cases involving more than 850 accused persons still pending before the court without resolution.

Attorney General and Minister for Justice Godfred Yeboah Dame blamed it on the judges and charged the Chief Justice to issue a directive to judges handling illegal mining cases.

Speaking at the Annual Conference of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG), he urged them to conclude ongoing trials within one month from the start of the new legal year on October 10, 2024.

Mr Dame stated the urgent need for swift justice in galamsey-related cases, which has significantly damaged Ghana’s environment.

In his address, the Attorney General expressed deep concern over the slow pace at which illegal mining cases are being adjudicated in courts across the country.

• Read also: Attorney General charges CJ to direct judges to conclude galamsey cases within one month

This situation, according to him, is unacceptable given the severe harm caused by illegal mining activities to the nation’s forests and water bodies.

“We are in an urgent national crisis and all citizens and institutions with any form of role to play must be called to action,” Mr. Dame said, adding that the lack of urgency in resolving galamsey cases undermines the government’s efforts to curb the menace.

But the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkonoo will have none of that.

She says prosecutors at the AG’s department are to blame.

“Proficient in delays through and ending adjourning of cases. There is no need for a court to adjourn a case after the case management conferences for mention.

 "It should not be the norm that parties are made to dress up, leave their businesses, spend money traveling and spend time just sitting in a court premises only to hear the title of their case called out and told to come back on another date.”

 “On the issue of delays in galamsey cases, the Attorney General will acknowledge that engagement is shown that the delays often come from the work of prosecutors,” she stated.