Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Puamang has disclosed that the Judiciary has earmarked three High Courts to deal exclusively with cases related to illegal mining, particularly those linked to the operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).

Justice Puamang made the revelation on Wednesday, 17th December, while addressing participants at the Annual Chief Justice’s Mentoring Programme in Accra.

The programme is designed to nurture justice-centred values among Senior High School students, encourage interest in careers within the Judiciary, and prepare future interpreters and custodians of the law.

Delivering remarks on the theme “Advocating Greener, Sustainable Justice: The Environment and Justice,” Justice Puamang reiterated the Judiciary’s resolve to confront the menace of illegal mining.

He indicated that the specialised courts are expected to become operational early next year.

According to him, under the leadership of Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, three High Court judges have already been assigned to the initiative, with their courtrooms undergoing refurbishment to enable them to focus solely on NAIMOS-related cases and other state matters.

These efforts, he explained, are also intended to support the recovery of state assets lost through unlawful mining activities.

The event also featured the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to clamping down on illegal mining. He revealed that the ongoing tracking of imported earth-moving machinery has led to the seizure of more than 1,000 excavators, which are currently in the custody of the Ministry.

Both speakers stressed that a coordinated judicial and executive response remains critical to safeguarding the environment and enforcing accountability in the fight against galamsey.