In a significant move to expedite the adjudication of high-profile and sensitive cases, the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has officially established a new Specialised High Court Division.
Exercising powers conferred under Section 14(3) of the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459), the Chief Justice issued a circular on Thursday, 5th February 2026, mandating that specific judges of the Superior Court of Judicature be assigned to this division to handle matters of critical national interest.
The establishment of this specialised court is seen as a direct response to public outcry over the slow pace of justice in cases involving public funds and the devastating impact of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
By creating a dedicated judicial pipeline, the Chief Justice aims to ensure that environmental and financial crimes are met with swift and firm legal consequences.
Scope of Jurisdiction: From Auditor-General Reports to Cybersecurity
The new division has been granted a broad and rigorous mandate.
According to the official directive, the Specialised High Court will hear both criminal and civil cases emanating from several key areas:
- Corruption and Public Accountability: Matters arising from the Reports of the Auditor-General and cases brought under the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).
- Natural Resources and Galamsey: All legal proceedings relating to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and general cases of environmental degradation.
- State Asset Recovery: Causes involving the recovery of property in which the state maintains an interest.
- Organised Crime and Security: Offences falling under the Narcotic Drugs Law and the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038).
Extension of High Court Working Hours to Support Efficiency
In a separate but complementary directive, the Chief Justice has also moved to tackle the administrative bottlenecks within the judicial system.
Under Rule 3(1) of Order 79 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004 (CI 47), Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has ordered that the offices of the High Court shall now remain open from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm on weekdays.
This extension of working hours is a notable departure from traditional operating times and is intended to provide greater flexibility for legal practitioners and the public, ensuring that the new specialised division and other High Court offices can manage increased caseloads without further delays.
The directive arrives at a time when the Ghanaian government and the judiciary are under immense pressure to show tangible results in the fight against illegal mining.
Environmental experts have repeatedly warned that the pollution of major water bodies by galamsey operators poses an existential threat to the nation’s water security.
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