Paa Kwesi Schandorf, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has cautioned against treating a state of emergency as a “magic wand” for tackling illegal mining (galamsey).
According to Paa Kwesi Schandorf, the declaration of a State of emergency on galamsey could impose restrictions on mining activities.
He argued that the declaration will not itself address the underlying causes of illegal mining, adding that it could halt mining activities and impose stringent restrictions.
Paa Kwesi Schandorf highlighted that the practical implications and potential benefits of declaring a state of emergency must first be clearly evaluated.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View, Paa Kwesi Schandorf stated, “We should be careful not to consistently indicate or project a state of emergency as a certain magic wand, if once implemented, would automatically transform our fortunes”.
He further argued that some restrictions and security measures associated with the declaration of a State of emergency are already being implemented by NAIMOS.
“I’m not equating the state of emergency to NAIMOS intervention. I’m just saying that we should be careful not to consistently project that as that magic wand that will transform our fortunes,” he said.
Paa Kwesi Schandorf further stressed that President John Dramani Mahama has maintained that any decision to declare a state of emergency would be guided by security assessments.
The Lands Ministry spokesperson maintained that there is no immediate need for a state of emergency.
Meanwhile, Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, the CEO of Ghana Chamber of Mines, has called for a selective state of emergency in communities severely affected by illegal mining.
Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV’s The Point of View, Ing. Ashigbey stated, “We need to look at the impact that this galamsey is having on us. Look at the death toll that you have announced, and our response to it. I agree the Minister for Land and Natural Resources is really pushing, NAIMOS is pushing, but it’s not enough”.
“What is happening currently lends credence to the idea that we should be asking that in particular communities where you have galamsey, where lives are being lost. These are places where we should declare selected state of emergency and say we need to stop it,” he said.
He added, “Seven lives have been lost today. Could you imagine if it was any of us? All of us in this room, how many of us? We’re not up to seven. It could be any of us who are there, but we’re not treating it with that level of [urgency]”.
“In 2024, when you pass Bonsu, you pass Ayinam, and you went to Osino, the level of impunity that is happening there today was not like in the past. Lake Bosomtwe was not under attack,” he said.
Meanwhile, seven illegal miners are reportedly feared dead after a galamsey pit collapsed overnight at Asaman Tamfoe near Anyinam in the Eastern Region.
Reports suggest the victims were allegedly engaged in illegal mining when the pit caved in, trapping them underground.
According to reports, rescue efforts are currently underway as people at the site work to retrieve those trapped in the collapsed pit.
In the video shared by media personality Johnnie Hughes showed an excavator and several people are seen trying to rescue one of the victims who was trapped under thick sand.
In a post shared by media personality Johnnie Hughes on X, he wrote, “7 alleged illegal miners are feared dead after a galamsey pit collapsed overnight at Asaman Tamfoe, near Anyinam in the E/R.
Reports say the 7 were working overnight when the pit caved in, trapping them underground.
Rescue efforts are underway. #StopGalamseyNow”.
Watch the video below:
Fight against illegal mining: Do we need a state of emergency or not?
— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) August 31, 2026
Paa Kwesi Schandorf, Spokesperson for the Lands Ministry, cautions against treating a state of emergency as a “magic wand” for tackling illegal mining, stressing that its practical implications must be… pic.twitter.com/HW50slGpzr
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