President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Cabinet has given the green light to the Public Tribunals Bill, a move designed to speed up the prosecution of illegal mining (galamsey) offences nationwide.
During a meeting with the Christian Council at Jubilee House on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, the President said the Bill will empower public tribunals to take on galamsey-related cases. This, he noted, will ease the burden on the regular courts and enable quicker and more effective justice delivery.
President Mahama explained that the initiative is part of government’s broader strategy to combat environmental degradation and protect the country’s forests and water bodies from the destructive impact of illegal mining.
He stated that by directing galamsey cases to public tribunals, the adjudication process will be faster, ensuring that justice is not only delivered but seen to be done. The President added that once implemented, the new measure will significantly improve the pace at which illegal mining cases are handled.