- Government to create new financial and environmental courts
- Courts to focus on audit infractions and illegal mining cases
- Initiative driven by President Mahama and justice sector consultations
The government is preparing to introduce specialised financial and environmental courts to handle audit-related offences and illegal mining cases.
The announcement was shared in a Facebook post by Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Special Advisor to the President, on Monday, November 17, 2025.
This initiative—first outlined by President John Dramani Mahama after discussions with key justice sector leaders—seeks to address long-standing accountability lapses highlighted in the Auditor-General’s annual reports.
Although the Auditor-General can disallow unlawful expenditures and impose surcharges, the office lacks prosecutorial powers, often leaving audit infractions unresolved after publication.
The new courts will focus on offences cited in audit reports as well as crimes involving environmental damage and illegal mining (galamsey). According to the government, the nationwide “circuit adjudication” model will promote swift and visible justice across all regions.
Ms. Mogtari stated that these specialised courts will help deter corruption, combat environmental degradation, and safeguard public funds by ensuring that mismanaged resources are recovered and offenders held accountable.
She added that the initiative’s success will rely on adequate resources for judges and prosecutors, enhanced transparency, strong whistle-blower protections, and sustained political commitment.
The government has described the plan as a pivotal step in Ghana’s pursuit of accountability, emphasising that combating corruption and environmental destruction requires firm enforcement and active public support.
