President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the Cabinet has approved the Public Tribunals Bill.
According to John Mahama, the approval of the Public Tribunals Bill is aimed at fast-tracking the prosecution of galamsey cases.
President Mahama explained that the Public Tribunals Bill will strengthen the country’s resolve to clamp down on galamsey activities.
He highlighted that the measure forms part of the government’s broader efforts to curb environmental destruction and protect Ghana’s forests and water bodies.
Speaking during a meeting with the Christian Council at Jubilee House on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, John Mahama stated, “What the Cabinet did was to pass the Public Tribunals Bill so that we will push issues related to illegal mining to the public tribunals. They will adjudicate faster and ensure that justice is seen to be done”.
“If this comes into effect, we will be able to process cases against illegal mining even quicker,” he added.
In related news, Abena Osei-Asare, the former Deputy Finance Minister, has strongly criticised the government’s allocation of just GH¢150 million to combat illegal mining.
During the 2026 budget debate, she argued that GH¢150 million funding is woefully inadequate, comparing it to attempting to win a battle with plastic chairs, and would be ineffectual in addressing the problem.
Abena Osei-Asare challenged the government’s stated priority of fighting illegal mining, highlighting that the GH₵150 million allocated to the relevant ministry represents a mere 0.003% of the total budget.
Speaking on the floor of parliament during the 2026 budget debate, Abena Osei-Asare stated, “It [galamsey] threatens our survival. So, Mr Speaker, if something threatens your survival, what are you supposed to do? You are supposed to fight it to make sure you survive,” she said, questioning why a national emergency was being treated as an afterthought.
“How can you fight it when, with a GH¢2.1 billion budget, you only give the agency to fight it GH¢150 million?” she asked.
She accused the government of offering rhetoric instead of action.
The lawmaker added, “Are you telling Ghanaians that you are fighting it, or are you just putting out words and playing with Ghanaians?
“GH¢35 million, just 1 per cent of the Ministry’s allocation,” Abena Osei-Asare added.
“The galamsey menace is a war. If it’s a war, then this budget is telling us that it’s like we are on a battlefield with plastic chairs instead of arms to fight and make sure we win,” she said, describing the allocation as “words that don’t have any meaning.”
“That is when you can tell me that this is really threatening our survival and so you’re doing something about it,” she said.
Also, Peter Lanchene Toobu, the Member of Parliament for Wa West and Vice Chairperson of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, has criticised the GH₵150 million allocated to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).
According to Peter Lanchene Toobu, the GH₵150 million for the NAIMOS in the fight against illegal mining is too small.
The lawmaker further asserted that Ato Forson, the Finance Minister, will do something about the allocation to NAIMOS in the 2026 mid-year budget.
The NDC MP is quoted by TV3 as having said, “GH₵150 million for NAIMOS is too small and I’m quite sure the Minister of Finance will do something about it in the mid-year budget”.
