President John Dramani Mahama has said implementing a state of emergency might sound nice, but it should be the last resort.
According to John Mahama, his administration is not in a rush to declare a state of emergency in the fight against illegal mining.
He noted growing public pressure to take drastic measures on galamsey but warned against resorting to a state of emergency prematurely.
Speaking at his media encounter in Accra on Wednesday, September 10, John Mahama explained, “I’ve been reluctant to implement a state of emergency in the galamsey fight because we’ve not exhausted the powers we even have without a state of emergency”.
“We have the opportunity to arrest anybody, to confiscate any such thing. The laws for forest protection and all that give us enough powers to be able to act”, he added.
John Mahama highlighted that a state of emergency should be considered only as a last resort.
“Implementing a state of emergency might sound nice, but it should be the last resort. So for now, let’s exercise all the powers we have — and if it becomes necessary for a state of emergency, then we look at it,” he added.
John Mahama further announced that his government is intensifying efforts to combat illegal mining, which has long threatened Ghana’s environment and natural resources.
He announced that the task force’s operations have led to the apprehension of hundreds of excavators, water pumps, and other heavy equipment used in galamsey activities.
“We’re taking decisive action to protect our environment and natural resources from destruction. A dedicated national task force is in place, actively combating the menace of illegal mining.
“As a result of their operations, hundreds of excavators, water pumps and other heavy equipment have been seized. Disrupting the networks that have long exploited our rivers. Nine forest reserves have been reclaimed from the grips of illegal miners,” he said.
John Mahama also added that his administration has not granted a single mining licence for operations within Ghana’s forest reserves after his return to office.
“Let me be clear. Since my administration resumed office, not a single licence has been issued to any company to mine in our forest reserves”, he confidently added.
In addition, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has warned that the declaration of a state of emergency on galamsey will undermine Ghana’s democracy.
The NDC chairman boldly asserted that he does not subscribe to calls from some sections of Ghanaians for the government to declare a state of emergency on galamsey.
Asiedu Nketia cautioned that the declaration of a state of emergency on galamsey will lead to the suspension of the constitution, which could lead to people shooting and killing at will.
According to Asiedu Nketia, illegal mining is a pressing issue, and the government is working to find solutions to it.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, August 26, Asiedu Nketia detailed, “Work is being done about the galamsey fight, and we hope to be able to find solutions to it. But I don’t subscribe to the declaration of the state of emergency as other people are suggesting. In your frustration, you can call for certain measures that, when we begin implementing, you may live to regret”.
“If you intend to deal with galamsey and you declare a state of emergency, it means you have suspended the constitution. People can shoot and kill at will. How will you be sure that those who are shooting and killing are the ones fighting galamsey? That is another matter,” he noted.
The NDC chairman further called on the public to propose constructive and sustainable solutions to the fight against illegal.
Asiedu Nketia emphasised that the fight against illegal mining must be deep-rooted in the rule of law rather than measures that will undermine Ghana’s democracy.
However, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, the convenor of the Anti-Galamsey Coalition has called on the government to declare a state of emergency in communities in heavily impacted areas.
Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV’s The Point of View on Monday, August 18, Dr Ashigbey stated, “We need to deal with this as a national security crisis, and it ought to be dealt with. Another thing we have been talking about is the state of emergency; we’re not saying state of emergency in the whole of the country, not even the whole of the district. This particular community, this thing is happening, declare a state of emergency,” he stressed.
“Offin River in Dunkwa, for example, you can declare a state of emergency and say nobody should go into that water, so that you give special powers to the police, Forestry Commission to be able to deal with these people [galamseyers].”
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Galamsey Fight: Implementing a state of emergency might sound nice, but it should be the last resort – President Mahama#JoyNews pic.twitter.com/hytDOISOQU
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