Accra: Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has emphasized that the judiciary's legal vacation does not suspend court proceedings, with urgent cases continuing to be heard. He assured that arrangements are in place to allow judges to take their annual leave while ensuring that cases requiring urgent attention, such as injunction applications and applications for the release of bodies, are addressed.
According to Ghana News Agency, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie clarified this point during a courtesy call on the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) in Accra as part of his institutional visits. The legal vacation, which runs from August 1 to September 30, is designed to provide a break for judges, lawyers, and judicial staff. However, designated vacation courts continue to sit on urgent matters, ensuring that the judiciary remains responsive to emergency situations.
The Chief Justice highlighted that concerns about the legal vacation had been exaggerated, noting that judges designated as vacation judges remain available to handle urgent cases from courts whose judges are on leave. Under this arrangement, some judges remain on duty to manage emergency matters while continuing with their own caseloads and proceed on leave once their colleagues return.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie advised lawyers with cases scheduled during the legal vacation to seek adjournments if the dates are inconvenient, as they would during the normal legal term. He emphasized that it is a judicial decision, not a directive from the Chief Justice, for a judge to adjourn a case.
Addressing case delays, the Chief Justice mentioned that the judiciary is reviewing its rules to tackle procedural technicalities that contribute to delays in case determination. A committee has revamped the Rules of Court, and the revised rules are expected to be passed before the year's end.
On the issue of illegal mining, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie stated that the judiciary has a responsibility to understand the broader effects of this menace beyond adjudicating cases. Judges have been exposed to the impacts of illegal mining and prison conditions to deepen their understanding of related cases.
The Chief Justice also revealed that specialized courts have been established to handle specific categories of cases, improving the speed of justice delivery. He commended MIIF for its performance and resource management, noting that the Fund has demonstrated how effective management can generate substantial returns for the country.
Mrs. Justina Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of MIIF, explained that the Fund was established under the Minerals Income Investment Fund Act, 2018 (Act 978), with a mandate to help the Government mobilize mineral royalties, monetize them when necessary, and address budgetary shortfalls. MIIF also has an investment wing tasked with investing across the mining value chain to generate revenue for present and future generations.
Mrs. Nelson reported a 5.4 percent increase in royalty collections in 2025 compared to 2024, generating GHS1.1 billion in income. The Fund also recorded strong results in 2026 and projected royalty collections of about GHS9 billion by the end of the year.
Mr. Richard Kwame Asante, Board Chairman of MIIF, noted that illegal mining poses serious environmental, economic, and governance challenges. He welcomed the establishment of specialized courts to expedite cases related to illegal mining and expressed MIIF's commitment to transparency, accountability, integrity, and professionalism, looking forward to sustained engagement with the Judiciary on matters of mutual interest.