Chief Justice designates 14 special courts for anti-galamsey fight

The Chief Justice has given the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) a boost as he sets up special courts to deal with cases about the menace. The 14 courts will independently handle all cases related to illegal mining that is destroying Ghana's water bodies, vegetation and arable lands. “As an institution committed to the Rule of Law, we are prepared to lend our support to this renewed fight against illegal mining to stamp out the menace and thereby protect the country’s natural resources, particularly our water bodies, for the current and future generations,” a statement from the judiciary said. So far, government has increased measures to clamp down on the menace of galamsey with many Chinese nationals feared to be the worst culprits. The media has also taken up the fight against the menace by raising awareness on the need to preserve our natural resources. The activities of the small-scale miners have caused severe pollution to the country’s fresh water bodies and destroyed arable lands.

The Ghana Water Company has shut down some of its treatment plants as key water sources have been heavily polluted with heavy metals beyond acceptable levels for purification.

The famous Pra and Tano rivers are among the most polluted water bodies. Farming activities at many communities in the Ashanti and Eastern regions, which are rich in precious minerals, have also been curtailed due to galamsey.