A New Legal Era: Specialized Division to Combat Galamsey and Cyber Threats

A New Legal Era: Specialized Division to Combat Galamsey and Cyber Threats

In a new legal period the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, recently established a Specialised High Court Division to handle specific categories of matters deemed essential to national interest.

The directive was contained in a circular dated February 5, 2026, and issued under subsection 3 of section 14 of the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459). The newly created division will operate as part of the High Court and will be made up of Justices of the Superior Court who will be assigned from time to time to sit in the court.

Scope of Cases

The Specialised High Court Division will handle both criminal and civil matters in clearly defined areas, including:

• Cases arising from the reports of the Auditor-General;
• Matters relating to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703);
• Cases involving environmental degradation;
• Matters arising under the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959);
• Cases involving the recovery of property in which the state has an interest;
• Offences under the Narcotic Drugs (Control, Enforcement and Sanctions) Law, 1990 (PNDCL 236);
• Matters under the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038).

The circular further states that the division may also hear any other cases as the Chief Justice may direct in writing.

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

The circular was signed by the Chief Justice on February 5, 2026, and distributed to Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, Circuit Court Judges and Magistrates, as well as other judicial administrators across the country.