The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has announced that over 850 individuals are currently facing trial for their alleged involvement in illegal mining, known as galamsey.
This revelation comes as the country grapples with the devastating environmental consequences of this practice.
Speaking at the 2024/2025 annual general conference of the Ghana Bar Association, Yeboah Dame disclosed that 140 cases of illegal mining are being investigated across five regions: Western, Eastern, Ashanti, Greater, and Upper East.
Despite challenges faced by prosecutors in court, he emphasized that progress has been made, with 76 convictions secured since August 2021.
The government has taken a firm stance against galamsey, imposing stiff penalties on those found guilty. Convicts face a minimum sentence of 15 years and hefty fines, particularly for non-Ghanaians.
The Attorney General expressed confidence that the judiciary will continue to play a vital role in combating this illegal activity.
