Galamsey and tree felling cases to be tried in new environmental courts

The Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Murtala Mohammed, has said the government will establish specialised environmental courts to prosecute individuals involved in illegal mining and unauthorised tree felling.

Speaking on GTV Breakfast on Monday, June 9, 2025, Mr Mohammed said the courts would enforce environmental laws and deal with people who destroy the country’s natural resources through activities such as galamsey and illegal logging.

“The law is the law, and it must be enforced,” Mr Mohammed said. “Environmental courts will hold accountable those who deliberately destroy our environment, whether through illegal logging or other activities.”

The minister’s announcement comes at a time when the government is stepping up efforts to tackle environmental crimes, especially illegal mining, which has caused severe damage to water bodies and the landscape.

Mr Mohammed disclosed that armed groups, including foreign nationals, had taken over nine forest reserves across the country before state security forces regained control.

He said the illegal mining problem had become not just an environmental issue but a national security and diplomatic concern, with some groups using mercury and other heavy metals that endanger farmlands, rivers and Ghana’s cocoa industry.

“These groups use heavy metals like mercury, threatening our water bodies, farmlands, and even cocoa production, Ghana’s second-largest foreign exchange earner,” he said.

According to Mr Mohammed, the establishment of environmental courts forms part of a broader plan that includes using artificial intelligence to monitor forests and working with traditional and religious leaders to protect the environment.

He insisted that the government would not discriminate in its enforcement efforts.

“Whether Ghanaian or foreign, anyone involved in galamsey will face the law. There’s no witch hunt, President Mahama is committed to resetting Ghana, and we won’t spare anyone,” he said.

The minister also addressed the issue of illegal tree felling, particularly in the northern parts of the country, where desertification has worsened due to charcoal burning and bushfires.

He pointed to cultural practices such as bush burning for hunting and rituals in parts of Dagbon, Mion, Nanton and Yendi, which he said posed serious environmental threats.

“Bush burning is not only harmful to the environment but also to agriculture, as it destroys soil nutrients,” Dr Mutala said. He added that he would engage traditional leaders in the affected areas to encourage sustainable practices.

The announcement coincided with the launch of President John Dramani Mahama’s “Every Child, One Tree” campaign, which aims to plant 10 million trees nationwide, starting with schoolchildren.

The initiative was launched at a cluster of schools in Atomic and attended by ministers, Members of Parliament, members of the diplomatic corps and environmental groups.

Mr Mohammed contrasted the current programme with those of previous administrations, claiming that earlier efforts lacked transparency.

He questioned reports that the previous government planted 5 million trees, claiming there was little evidence of those trees today.

He also alleged that seedlings were priced at over GH¢200 each.

The planned environmental courts are expected to play an important role in addressing environmental offences as the country struggles with the impact of illegal mining and deforestation on its resources and agricultural output.