The government has announced plans to establish specialised courts to prosecute audit failures, illegal mining (galamsey), and other environmental offences, a move aimed at strengthening accountability and safeguarding public resources.
The initiative was revealed in a Facebook post by Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Special Advisor to the President, on Monday, November 17, 2025, highlighting the urgent need to tackle systemic corruption and environmental degradation in the country.
According to the post, the courts will have nationwide “circuit adjudications,” ensuring that justice is delivered across all regions.
The plan was developed in consultation with Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Attorney-General Dr Dominic Ayine, and Auditor-General Johnson Akuamoah-Asiedu.
“These specialized courts are a decisive step to confront endemic corruption and environmental harm. For too long, audit infractions and illegal mining have gone unpunished, with accountability stalling after the publication of reports,” the statement said.
The specialised courts aim to:
Close the enforcement gap: Many audit reports have flagged mismanagement or misuse of public funds, but prosecutions have been delayed or absent. The courts will ensure financial and environmental crimes are treated as high-priority issues.
Deter corruption: By linking audit reports directly to prosecutorial action, public officers will face tangible consequences for mismanagement.
Address environmental crimes: Illegal mining (“galamsey”) and related offences will be treated as serious crimes, highlighting their impact on national resources and sustainable development.
Increase public confidence: Circuit courts across regions will reduce delays, bring justice closer to communities, and ensure transparency in high-profile cases.
Protect public resources: Swift prosecution of offenders will help safeguard funds intended for schools, hospitals, infrastructure, and other public services.
Officials have noted that the courts’ effectiveness will depend on:
Proper resourcing of judges, prosecutors, and investigators with expertise in financial and environmental law
Transparent publication of case outcomes
Robust whistle-blower and witness protection mechanisms
Complementary governance reforms, including procurement discipline and open contracting
Sustained political will beyond electoral cycles
Observers have warned that under-resourced or overloaded courts could replicate past accountability delays. Ensuring judicial independence, preventing political interference, and providing socio-economic alternatives to communities involved in illegal mining are critical for the initiative’s success.
The government stressed that the Auditor-General will continue to exercise constitutional powers to disallow illegal expenditures and surcharge individuals who misuse public funds, reinforcing the message that impunity is no longer acceptable.
The establishment of these specialized courts marks a significant step in Ghana’s governance evolution, signaling that protecting the public purse and the environment are inseparable pillars of national development.
As the country embarks on this new phase of accountability, officials and citizens alike are being called to rise to the moment, ensuring that justice is applied impartially and effectively.
