The government is set to lay a Bill to establish specialised courts to handle illegal mining (galamsey) cases in Parliament in February 2026, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has announced. The move is aimed at addressing prolonged delays that have weakened prosecutions in galamsey-related cases.
Attorney-General Explains Status of the Galamsey Courts Bill
Speaking in a television interview with Joy News on Saturday, January 10, 2026, Dr Ayine disclosed that the Bill, although already approved by Cabinet, was sent back for revision following concerns raised by the Judiciary.
According to him, members of the Judiciary who reviewed the draft identified issues that required refinement before the Bill could be laid before Parliament.
Mandatory Timelines to Speed Up Galamsey Trials
A major feature of the revised Bill is the introduction of statutory timelines to prevent unnecessary adjournments in galamsey cases.
Dr Ayine explained that excessive delays in ordinary courts have significantly undermined the fight against illegal mining.
“The law will provide timelines for adjournments. So, for instance, we are putting it in the law that an adjournment should not exceed two weeks, 14 days,” he said.
How the Specialised Courts Will Improve Justice Delivery
Under the proposed law:
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Adjournments will be limited to a maximum of 14 days
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Tribunal members will be legally bound to comply with timelines
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Long and repetitive court delays will be eliminated
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Rulings on preliminary matters will be expedited
Dr Ayine stressed that once the timelines are enshrined in law, judicial officers will no longer have discretion to grant prolonged adjournments.
“Once it is the law, the chairperson and the members of the tribunal will have to adhere to the law,” he stated.
Delays Weakening the Fight Against Illegal Mining
The Attorney-General blamed the slow pace of trials for weakening enforcement efforts against galamsey, citing instances where courts adjourned cases for months to deliver simple rulings.
“You are supposed to give a ruling on a preliminary matter, and you take an adjournment of three months to give a simple ruling which could have been done that same day,” he said.
He noted that such practices had discouraged effective prosecution and emboldened illegal miners.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will the Galamsey Courts Bill be laid in Parliament?
The Bill is expected to be laid in February 2026.
Why is the Bill being revised?
Revisions are being made to address concerns raised by the Judiciary after Cabinet approval.
What problem is the Bill trying to solve?
It seeks to address long delays and repeated adjournments in galamsey cases.
What is the key change in the proposed law?
The introduction of mandatory timelines, limiting adjournments to a maximum of 14 days.
