Acting Chief Justice, Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, has reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to environmental justice, describing it as a critical pillar of sustainable justice in Ghana.
Speaking at the 2025 Justice Education and Mentoring Programme, Justice Pwamang welcomed students, teachers and partner institutions, and commended the founders of the initiative for sustaining a platform that exposes young people to the justice system.
The theme for the Wednesday’s programme is: “Advocating Greener Sustainable Justice: The Environment and Justice.”
He said the programme remains highly relevant at a time when climate change, environmental degradation and illegal mining pose serious threats to national development.
The Acting Chief Justice noted that courts across the world, including those in Ghana, are increasingly confronted with environmental-related cases such as illegal mining, pollution, land degradation and water rights disputes.
He pledged the Judiciary’s continued support for the strict enforcement of environmental laws to safeguard the country’s natural resources.
As a demonstration of this commitment, Justice Pwamang announced that three High Court judges have been assigned to handle cases from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAMOS) and other state recovery matters.
He said the designated courts are expected to become operational early next year.
He further urged young people to play active roles in environmental protection through initiatives such as greener schools, proper waste management, tree planting and environmental education.
He announced plans to expand Justice Clubs nationwide, noting that such clubs will help nurture a new generation committed to environmental stewardship and justice. Justice Pwamang expressed appreciation to partner institutions, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and encouraged students to balance academic excellence with environmental responsibility for a sustainable future.
Minister for Environment, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, described illegal mining as a grave national crime that is destroying forests, polluting water bodies, undermining public health and endangering the future of generations yet unborn.
The lands minister stressed that the fight against illegal mining is not merely an environmental campaign, but a test of the rule of law, national conscience and commitment to justice.
Mr Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah outlined government’s resolve under President John Dramani Mahama to eradicate illegal mining and restore degraded lands through a five-pillar strategy.
These include stakeholder engagement, reforms in the licensing regime to eliminate corruption, reclamation of degraded lands and polluted waters, provision of alternative livelihoods for affected communities and strengthened law enforcement to arrest and prosecute offenders.
Addressing students and aspiring legal professionals, the Environment Minister called on them to defend environmental laws, ensure justice is not lost in technicalities and hold offenders accountable regardless of status.
The lands minister urged all citizens to see environmental protection as a moral duty essential to Ghana’s survival.
In his remarks, Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, commended the Chief Justice and the Judiciary for the vision behind the Enhanced Chief Justice Mentoring Programme, describing it as a vital initiative that demystifies the justice system and makes the law accessible to young people.
He said visits to institutions such as the Supreme Court help students appreciate that the law is practical, relevant and attainable.
Haruna Iddrisu encouraged students to take their studies seriously and embrace patriotism, integrity and civic responsibility, stressing that the future of the country lies in their hands.
The education minister underscored the importance of strong institutions, noting that respect for the rule of law is fundamental to sustaining democracy and an independent judiciary.
Tracing the programme’s origins to 2007 under former Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, the Education Minister noted its expansion to include Justice Clubs in schools, including special clubs for vulnerable and out-of-school girls.
Haruna Iddrisu assured the Judiciary of the continued support of the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, and acknowledged the contribution of UNFPA and other youth development partners.
On environmental justice, the education minister described the fight against illegal mining as a moral, civic and legal obligation, warning that Ghana cannot afford to fail in the battle against galamsey.
He called for close collaboration between the Executive and the Judiciary and urged the courts to decisively punish offenders, including public officials, to serve as a deterrent.
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