The Chief Justice has designated 14 courts (7 High Courts and 7 Circuit Courts) to deal with all mining offences committed under the Minerals and Mining Act, Act 703.
A statement issued by the Judicial Secretary, Justice Alex B. Poku-Acheampong said the designation of the courts by C.J. Georgina Wood, is in furtherance of “the recent groundswell of public revulsion and media and civil society advocacy against the menace of illegal mining, commonly referred to as “galamsey”.
“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,” the statement said.
“The Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2015 (Act 900) has introduced new offences which confer jurisdiction on the High Courts and Circuit Courts.
“The Hon. Lady Chief Justice has to this end designated seven (7) High Courts located in Accra, Sekondi, Kumasi, Cape Coast, Koforidua, Sunyani and Bolgatanga to deal with all mining offences committed under the Minerals and Mining Act, (Act 703).
Seven (7) Circuit Courts have also been designated to deal with all offences created under the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act 2015 (Act 900) and shall exercise concurrent jurisdiction with the High Court. Judges who will be manning these courts will receive regular training to give them a better appreciation of the legal issues involved in illegal mining to enable them to handle cases efficiently in their courts and impose sentences commensurate with the offences.
“In the future, depending on the number of cases that will come up for trial, the Judiciary may increase the courts and number of Judges to ensure that the courts are not overwhelmed by the volume of work and that the cases are dealt with expeditiously,” said the statement.
Designated Courts
LOCATION HIGH COURTS CIRCUIT COURTS
Greater Accra Region High Court ‘4’, Criminal Division Circuit Court ‘1’, Accra
Central Region High Court ‘2’, Cape Coast Circuit Court ‘1’, Cape Coast
Western Region High Court ‘2’, Sekondi Circuit Court ‘A’, Harbour Area,Takoradi
Ashanti Region High Court ‘5’, Kumasi Circuit Court ‘2’, Adum, Kumasi
Eastern Region High Court ‘3’, Koforidua Circuit Court ‘B’, Koforidua
Brong-Ahafo Region High Court ‘2’, Sunyani Circuit Court, Sunyani
Upper East Region High Court ‘1’, Bolgatanga Circuit Court, Bolgatanga
Source: Daily Graphic
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THE REASON GHANAIANS ARE MINING ON OUR RIVERS IS BECAUSE ALL THE RICH GOLD LAND IS IN THE HANDS OF EUROPEANS! THIS IS HAPPENING BECAUSE WE HAVE SARDINE LEADERS! NO HEAD! NO BRAIN! THE AFRICAN IS THE BRIGHTEST BUT SARDINES ALWAYS FORCE THEMSELVES INTO POWER
YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO SHUT DOWN YOUR OWN BROTHER`S MINING BUSINESS AND LEAVE THE WHITE MAN TO OPERATE ON THE RICHEST PART OF OUR LAND.
THE SAME CHIEF JUSTICE SHOULD NOT FORGET TO SET UP A SPECIAL COURT TO DEAL WITH THE WHITE TIVES WHO HAVE BEEN MINING OUR GOLD AND NOT PAYING ANYTHING FOR IT. IF WONTUMI`S SMALL MINING COMPANY WAS MAKING HIM 1 MILLION DOLLARS A DAY THEN MINING COMPANIES LIKE ANGLO-GOLD OWE THIS COUNTRY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS. MADAM CHIEF JUSTICE SHOULD STEP IN MAKE THEM PAY!
Where was this Chief Justice all these years? That is the hypocrisy dishonesty and unpatiotism I was talking about. If you know what is good to save this country and you don't do it just because your country is not in power, are you patriotic?
Madam chief justice a big thank you to your swift action.thank you very much
This is leadership. God bless you Chief Justice.
Thank you Madam, because of money our water bodies is been destroyed ,death pit are created , the land is also destroyed by their chemicals .If small scale miners wants government to consider they should first consider ways to 1.taking their mining works out the water bodies 2.Treat the water before pouring them out. 3.Treat or replenish the lands after mining in that area. 4.No mining works in farming areas and residential area 5.Cover all used pit If you know the cost treating this water then go ahead with these.
Your corrupt and incompetent NDC made itself unattractive to Ghanaians,they disrespected Ghanaians a great deal,have not learnt any lesson.
Sometimes when I sit I weep for this country. I just cannot understand why sections of society decide that as for this govt we will run it down and another we will help to succeed. It is only witchcraft that can let people behave like this. This galamsey thing has been with us for years . Today , media, civil society, judiciary, clergy have jumped on the bandwagon of 'stop galamsey'. Is this not mere ***barred word*** that we sit and watch things get to this stage because either it is not our party or we dont like the president. We must all bow our heads in shame for this sudden campaign. Hypocrites of the highest order. If we had given Rawlings, Kufuor, Atta Mills and Mahama this kind of support our water bodies will not be what we are seeing now. Are we a sensible people or a stupidddd people. God forgive us for this hypocrisy. Right thinking members of the society who have the country at heart will give their blessings to the campaign because we are all in this boat called Ghana and when it sinks we sink together. Ghana first
Ghana will be a better place when all structures work and are proactive in their dealings such as this act by the Chief Justice. Ayekoo and I pray these designated courts do their work diligently without fear or favour. Say No to Galamsey