Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Essaba Sackey Torkornoo
Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Essaba Sackey Torkornoo has squarely laid the blame for the delay in galamsey cases on prosecutors, contradicting Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame’s claims that judges are responsible for the slow pace.
Speaking at the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Association of Magistrates and Judges, Ghana (AMJG), Justice Torkornoo asserted that prosecutors, not judges, are hindering the swift determination of galamsey cases.
A Rebuttal to the Attorney-General
The Chief Justice’s remarks came in response to Dame’s call for judges to expedite galamsey cases, citing over 140 pending cases involving 850 accused persons in various regions.
However, Justice Torkornoo contended that the delays stem from prosecutors’ inefficiencies.
Ghana’s galamsey crisis has sparked widespread concern, with many calling for an outright ban on small-scale mining.
Organised Labour has declared a nationwide strike beginning October 10, to pressure the government into action.
Judiciary Under Scrutiny
The Chief Justice’s comments highlight tensions between the judiciary and prosecutors.
She emphasized the need for judges to sanitize work delivery and ensure expeditious justice, warning that delays undermine investor confidence and harm the nation.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
