The Media Relations Officer at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, states that the government is on track to establish specialised tribunals to handle illegal mining offences.

According to him, the initiative — recently announced by the Attorney-General — forms part of broader measures to deal expeditiously with galamsey cases across the country.

Speaking on Top Story on Tuesday, October 21, Mr Schandorf explained that the move is necessary due to the delays often associated with Ghana’s justice delivery system.

“Parliament just resumed, and that conversation has been had at the level of Cabinet. I am sure very soon it will be tabled before the House for onward consideration, and then that will add to the measures that the government is putting in place. And so, I think we should remain hopeful,” he stated.

His comments come amid growing concerns about the slow pace of prosecution of persons arrested for illegal mining activities.

Critics have argued that, despite the government's continued announcements of arrests, the rate of successful prosecutions remains low.

During a recent meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the government disclosed that more than 1,440 people had been arrested in connection with illegal mining offences.

However, a member of the National Coalition Against Galamsey, Senyo Hosi, observed that the arrests have yet to yield visible convictions, accusing the state of doing little to bring perpetrators to justice.

Meanwhile, the government maintains that it is committed to fast-tracking prosecutions alongside other interventions, including heightened surveillance by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).