Judiciary Tightens Grip on Galamsey, Cybercrime with New High Court Division

The Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has established a Specialised High Court Division to handle selected criminal and civil cases considered critical to Ghana’s national interest.

The decision, contained in a circular dated February 5, 2026, was issued under subsection (3) of Section 14 of the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459). The new division will operate within the High Court structure and will be composed of Justices of the Superior Court assigned by the Chief Justice from time to time.

Scope of Jurisdiction

According to the circular, the Specialised High Court Division will hear cases including:

• Matters arising from reports of the Auditor-General
• Cases under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703)
• Environmental degradation-related cases, including galamsey
• Matters arising under the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959)
• Cases involving the recovery of state-owned property
• Offences under the Narcotic Drugs (Control, Enforcement and Sanctions) Law, 1990 (PNDCL 236)
• Matters under the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038)

The directive further empowers the division to hear any additional matters the Chief Justice may assign in writing.

Strengthening Justice Delivery

The establishment of the Specialised High Court Division is expected to improve efficiency in the adjudication of complex and high-profile cases, particularly those involving anti-corruption efforts, environmental protection, mining regulation, state asset recovery, narcotics control and cybersecurity.

The circular has been circulated to Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, Circuit Court Judges, Magistrates and other judicial administrators nationwide.