Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has dismissed reports suggesting his administration intends to declare a state of emergency to address the issue of illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey. Speaking to Ghanaians in New York on Friday, September 25, President Mahama emphasized that he had never indicated such a plan. He stressed that declaring a state of emergency should be considered a last resort, given its implications on rights and freedoms.
President Mahama explained that a state of emergency is typically used to address serious national challenges and is designed to be temporary. It often involves restrictions on certain rights and freedoms. He noted that the nationwide nature of galamsey activities makes the declaration of a state of emergency complicated, as it affects several regions across Ghana. This complexity, according to President Mahama, requires a more nuanced approach to tackling the issue.
The President highlighted that states of emergency are usually declared in isolated areas where a specific issue needs to be addressed urgently. He cited that in such cases, all energy is concentrated on dealing with the problem, which is then resolved, and the state of emergency is lifted. President Mahama expressed that this approach may not be suitable for addressing galamsey due to its widespread nature.
According to President Mahama, the government already possesses sufficient legal authority to deal with illegal mining. He mentioned that the administration is implementing targeted interventions in communities and areas identified as galamsey hotspots. These efforts aim to mitigate the effects of illegal mining on the environment and affected communities.
While acknowledging the significant challenges involved in ending illegal mining, President Mahama reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the activity. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach that considers the socio-economic factors driving galamsey and the environmental impacts of illegal mining.
President Mahama's denial of plans to declare a state of emergency comes amid concerns about the effectiveness of current measures to combat galamsey. The issue has been a longstanding challenge in Ghana, with successive governments struggling to find a lasting solution. The President's remarks are expected to alleviate some concerns among the public and stakeholders about the government's approach to addressing the problem.
The government’s efforts to combat galamsey are ongoing, with various stakeholders, including local communities, civil society organizations, and international partners, being engaged in the process. President Mahama's administration has been working to balance the need to eradicate illegal mining with the need to ensure that livelihoods are not adversely affected.
Key points
- President Mahama denies plans to declare a state of emergency to combat galamsey.
- The government has sufficient legal authority to deal with illegal mining.
- Targeted interventions are being implemented in galamsey hotspots.
