The Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has met with the Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to discuss pressing issues affecting the country, including illegal mining (galamsey), narcotics-related crimes, and the Justice for All Programme.
Hon. Muntaka emphasised the devastating impact of galamsey and narcotics on communities and the environment, advocating for the establishment of designated courts to fast-track the prosecution of cases related to environmental degradation and drug offenses. This, he said, would help fast-track the prosecution of such cases and ensure justice is served.
The Minister stressed the importance of collaboration between the Ministry of the Interior and the Judiciary in tackling these issues. He emphasized that they are partners in these fights and must work together to achieve their goals.
Another key focus of the discussion was the Justice for All Programme, which aims to ensure equitable access to justice for all citizens. Hon. Muntaka called for a comprehensive review of the programme, urging stakeholders to come together to identify challenges and propose solutions to revamp and restructure it for greater effectiveness. “We need to sit down, assess the gaps, and make this programme work better for everyone,” he said.
In response, the Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie expressed gratitude for the Minister’s visit and reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to addressing the concerns raised. He assured the Minister that plans to establish dedicated courts for galamsey, environmental degradation, and narcotics cases are under serious consideration and will be implemented soon.
The Acting Chief Justice also urged the Minister to prioritise the passage of the Community Service Bill, which would introduce community service as an alternative sentencing option. He emphasized that this legislation could provide a more rehabilitative approach to justice, reducing prison overcrowding and fostering community reintegration for offenders.
