The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has petitioned Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to ensure that the established rules and traditions governing Ghana’s legal vacation are respected, particularly in cases where lawyers have indicated that they are unavailable to appear in court.

In a letter dated August 10, 2026, and signed by GBA National President Mrs Efua Ghartey, the Association raised concerns over notices served on lawyers requiring them to appear before specific judges to continue part-heard criminal cases during the legal vacation.

The GBA said the concerns followed petitions brought to its attention by Zoe, Akyea & Co., Dame & Partners, and Sam Okudzeto & Associates, whose lawyers expressed displeasure over the notices issued pursuant to warrants authorising particular judges to continue hearing the cases during the vacation.

The Association referred to Order 79, Rule 4 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004 (C.I. 47), which provides for three annual court vacations.

According to the GBA, Rule 4(b) provides that the second and longest vacation in the legal year runs from August 1 to September 30.

The Association explained that the purpose of the vacation is to give lawyers, judges and judicial staff a deserved period of rest after the rigorous court schedule, particularly following the second term, which is the longest term of the legal year.

The GBA’s intervention also comes after the Judiciary’s celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the Supreme Court Ordinance of 1876, which the Association said ran from April 16 to July 31, 2026. The Bar congratulated the Chief Justice and the Judiciary on the anniversary celebrations.

The GBA acknowledged that, over the years, the Judiciary, with the consent of other stakeholders, has designated certain courts as Vacation Courts to deal with emergencies that arise during the vacation.

However, it stressed that such courts have traditionally been limited to urgent and interlocutory matters and not trials.

The Association noted that the same principle applies to Virtual Courts operating during the vacation, saying they also do not conduct trials.

A major concern raised by the GBA is the availability of counsel.

The Association said the overriding consideration in matters brought before a Vacation Court has traditionally been the willingness and availability of counsel to appear.

It argued that lawyers are not under any compulsion to appear before a Vacation Court if they have indicated that they are unavailable during the vacation.

According to the GBA, even where a case has already been listed, the court should not proceed if counsel on either side, or both sides, have indicated that they are unable to attend.

The Association further argued that an accused or other party to a civil or criminal trial should not be forced to represent themselves simply because their lawyer is unavailable during the legal vacation.

It said the absence of counsel during the vacation should not be treated as wilful and that, in such circumstances, the appropriate step should be to adjourn the case to dates proposed by counsel.

The Bar warned that attempts to continue proceedings despite the established vacation arrangements could create the appearance of bias or selective justice.

It said lawyers have already had to extend their working hours because of the demands of the legal year, particularly following the introduction of afternoon court sittings under the new scheme.

The Association maintained that vacations should be observed as provided under the Rules of Court.

It also disclosed that several lawyers have already made plans for the vacation, including preparing written submissions, travelling to other jurisdictions, attending previously scheduled professional engagements and participating in conferences.

The GBA added that some law firms have closed for the entire legal vacation.

The Association also linked its position to the welfare and work-life balance of lawyers.

It argued that lawyers are personally responsible for their well-being and should be allowed to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

The GBA therefore insisted that duly earned vacations should not be interfered with.

The Association said it has consistently cooperated with the Judiciary to promote the smooth and speedy delivery of justice and expressed confidence that the Judiciary would, in return, respect the Rules of Court and the long-standing traditions surrounding legal vacations.

The GBA concluded its letter by expressing confidence that the petitions concerning the continued criminal proceedings would be considered favourably by the Chief Justice.

The letter was copied to the Judicial Secretary of the Supreme Court, the Registrar of the High Court, Specialised Division “1”, and representatives of the three law firms involved.

The copied recipients included Samuel Atta Akyea, Head of Chamber at Zoe, Akyea & Co.; Godfred Yeboah Dame, Head of Chambers at Dame & Partners; and Victoria Barth, Managing Partner of Sam Okudzeto & Associates.

The GBA’s position comes amid ongoing challenges over the continuation of selected part-heard criminal cases during the current legal vacation, with lawyers in some cases arguing that proceeding without their availability could undermine established legal practice and the right of accused persons to representation by counsel of their choice.

Executive Director of the Centre for Extractive Development Africa ( CEDA), Samuel Bekoe, has cautioned that completely stopping illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, may be unrealistic, urging authorities to focus on regulating the activity and preventing its harmful effects.

According to Mr. Bekoe, the number of people whose livelihoods depend on galamsey makes an outright ban difficult to enforce.

Speaking via a zoom interview on Kessben Maakye show in Accra, he noted that although communities support galamsey activities, the practice can have serious consequences for the environment and human rights if it is not properly regulated.
Mr. Bekoe also criticised the Minerals Commission for what he described as failures in preventing illegal mining, arguing that some miners have obtained licences but continue to engage in activities that cause environmental damage.

The extractive industry expert proposed increased recruitment and possible weaponisation of wildlife personnel to strengthen protection of forests, stressing that existing forest guards may not be adequately equipped to confront illegal miners.
He also criticised delays by the Lands Commission in processing licences, arguing that prolonged delays can discourage prospective miners from pursuing legal permits.
Mr. Bekoe maintained that people can still engage in mining without destroying river bodies if effective regulations and enforcement mechanisms are put in place.

He warned that even declaring a state of emergency would not necessarily bring galamsey to an end.
“No government can stop galamsey, but can regulate them to eradicate the after-effects,” he stated.

He added that protecting community lands from destruction would be difficult without stronger regulatory measures aimed at preventing mining activities from damaging river bodies.
His comments come amid renewed calls for tougher measures to tackle illegal mining and protect Ghana’s forests, farmlands and water resources.

By Maurice Otoo

Energy sector analyst Ben Nsiah has raised serious concerns about Ghana’s power and energy sector, alleging the existence of a coordinated network involving politicians, technocrats, government officials and foreign operators.

In an interview on Kessben Maakye show in Accra, Nsiah recalled Ghana’s major power crisis in 2014, arguing that the country must learn from the experience and protect the national interest in decisions concerning the energy sector.

According to him, many politicians are allegedly self-centred and fail to put the country’s interest at stake.
Nsiah further alleged that there is a “collaborative organized crime” involving some politicians, technocrats, government officials and U.S. operators.

He also accused private power producers of overbilling the state, claiming that some officials allegedly have a portion of their percentage built into the overall cost of power.
The energy sector specialist additionally alleged that some parliamentarians had been offered a $46,000 bribe, and called for greater transparency in agreements signed on behalf of the country.
“We must disclose all agreements signed on our behalf because we have seen that our Parliament cannot protect us,” he stated.

Nsiah also called on citizens to ask questions, suggesting that public scrutiny remains one of the few mechanisms available to protect Ghana’s interests.

He further urged the government to renegotiate energy contracts previously signed between 2014 and 2017, describing such a move as imperative.

Turning his attention to the Attorney General’s reported efforts regarding an energy deal, Nsiah expressed scepticism, alleging that political connections among those involved could undermine attempts to unravel the matter.
He claimed that the parties involved “know themselves” and may cover up for one another, underscoring his call for greater transparency and accountability in Ghana’s energy sector.

The allegations contained in the interview have not been independently verified.

By Maurice Otoo

The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has launched a nationwide furniture donation campaign to help address critical shortages in basic, junior high and senior high schools across the country.

Dubbed the Collective Furniture Appeal, the initiative is being implemented under GETFund’s Education Financing and Partnership Initiative (EFPI). It seeks to mobilise support from corporate organisations, development partners, alumni associations, religious bodies, civil society organisations, philanthropists and individuals.

GETFund said the campaign follows numerous requests from schools across Ghana for essential furniture needed to improve teaching and learning conditions.

Items being sought include metal mono and dual desks, student chairs, bunk beds, teachers’ tables and chairs, and other essential furniture to provide safe, conducive learning environments.

According to GETFund, despite sustained government investment in educational infrastructure, furniture shortages remain a challenge in several communities, with some pupils still forced to share desks or learn under uncomfortable conditions.

The Fund said closing the furniture gap requires a collective national effort to complement government interventions.

“The Collective Furniture Appeal is a response to numerous requests from schools across the country seeking support to provide essential classroom furniture,” GETFund said.

Under the initiative, corporate institutions, non-governmental organisations, development partners, traditional authorities, religious organisations, community groups, alumni associations and individuals are encouraged to donate new or gently used furniture to schools in need.

GETFund said the initiative is aligned with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of transforming Ghana’s education sector through strategic partnerships, innovative financing and shared responsibility.

The campaign also forms part of the broader EFPI programme, which seeks to increase private-sector and philanthropic participation in financing educational development.

GETFund noted that the furniture campaign would complement government investments in school infrastructure, teaching and learning materials and other interventions aimed at improving educational outcomes.

The Fund has therefore appealed to the public to support the campaign, stressing that adequate classroom furniture is essential to creating a dignified and effective environment for both teachers and learners.

“Together, let us support the President’s vision for education by furnishing our classrooms, empowering our teachers, inspiring our learners, and ensuring that no child is left behind,” GETFund said.

Organisations and individuals interested in making bulk donations or partnering with GETFund under the EFPI initiative can contact Ms Adwoa Amankwah Boateng-Appiah on +233 50 865 2073 or adwoa.boateng@getfund.gov.gh for further information.

Source:myjoyonline

Three people have died after a mining pit collapsed on them at Odumase-Santenso in the Asante Akyem Central Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

The victims, identified as two women and a man, were reportedly between the ages of 21 and 25 and were engaged in illegal small-scale mining popularly known as “one-man” mining.

The incident occurred at about 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026.

According to the caretaker Assembly Member for the area and Assembly Member for the Bomeriso Electoral Area, Isaac Kyei Andoh, residents alerted him shortly after the pit collapsed, prompting an immediate rescue effort.

Mr Andoh said he informed the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), following which arrangements were made to secure a backhoe to assist in retrieving the trapped miners.

However, the equipment reportedly developed a mechanical fault and could not be deployed.

A private backhoe was subsequently arranged, but before it arrived at the scene, residents had already managed to dig through the collapsed pit and retrieve the bodies.

The three bodies were recovered between 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., according to Mr Andoh.

Traditional rites were performed at the scene by local chiefs before the remains were conveyed to a mortuary.

Mr Andoh explained that the victims were involved in “one-man” mining, an unregulated form of small-scale mining in which individuals dig deep pits using basic or makeshift equipment in search of gold.

“I got a call around 4 p.m. about the pit collapse. We mobilised a vehicle to release the bodies from the pit. The chiefs performed some rites before the three bodies were sent to the mortuary. The deceased include two women and a man, aged between 21 and 25 years. The pit caved in and killed them,” he said.

The tragedy has renewed concerns about the dangers associated with unregulated mining activities in the area, particularly the use of unsafe mining pits and makeshift equipment.

It has also highlighted concerns over the loss of young lives through illegal mining operations in the Asante Akyem Central Municipality, with calls for stronger measures to prevent miners from working in hazardous conditions.

Source:Adomonline