Chief Justice calls for stronger immigration-judiciary alliance to combat galamsey and cybercrime
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has urged closer collaboration between Ghana’s judiciary and the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to confront the growing involvement of foreign nationals in illegal mining and other transnational crimes.
Speaking during a visit to Comptroller-General of Immigration Samuel Basintale Amadu on February 4, 2026, the Chief Justice highlighted the increasing presence of Chinese nationals in galamsey operations as a pressing concern. He noted that the judiciary’s establishment of specialized courts to fast-track illegal mining cases was partly driven by the scale of foreign participation.
“Some of the ways of dealing with the crime of the day are the creation of a special force. We all know the state of cross-border crimes, such as human trafficking, cybercrime, and galamsey. Particularly, galamsey may not be considered cross-border, but because of the people involved in it,” he explained.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie painted a vivid picture of the situation, pointing to the widespread sale of mining tools and gold purchases by Chinese nationals in local communities. “We cannot close our eyes to the fact that the Chinese have invaded our galamsey sites. In some of the towns, you have the Chinese selling tools for galamsey. They buy the gold in these areas. The Chinese involved in the galamsey are not conjured; they are from China, so how do they get here or enter our borders?” he asked.
Beyond illegal mining, the Chief Justice stressed the importance of coordinated action against other crimes linked to foreign nationals, including cybercrime, human trafficking, and narcotics. He emphasized that effective collaboration between law enforcement and immigration authorities would be critical to both preventing and prosecuting such offenses.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s call reflects growing national concern over the intersection of immigration and security, particularly as Ghana grapples with the economic, environmental, and social consequences of galamsey. His remarks also underscore the judiciary’s role in shaping policy responses to complex challenges that cut across borders.
The visit to the GIS leadership signals a push for stronger institutional synergy in tackling crimes that threaten Ghana’s stability and development. By linking judicial reforms with immigration enforcement, the Chief Justice is advocating for a holistic approach that addresses both the entry of foreign actors and the prosecution of their offenses.
As Ghana intensifies its fight against illegal mining and cybercrime, the partnership between the judiciary and immigration authorities may prove pivotal in safeguarding the country’s resources and reinforcing the rule of law.
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