The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey is pressing government to declare a state of emergency in illegal mining zones, citing increasing environmental degradation and the growing threat to human life.
At a press briefing in Accra on Thursday, June 19, the Coalition’s Convenor, Kenneth Ashigbey, made a strong case for immediate intervention by security forces through an emergency declaration to directly confront galamsey operations.
“The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey has called for a declaration of a state of emergency in areas prone to galamsey,” he said, emphasising that “Illegal mining activities continue to devastate the environment, posing threats to lives, necessitating a state of emergency to address the issue directly.”
Ashigbey also voiced concern about what he described as an alarming pattern involving political actors allegedly participating in illegal mining. “We have, however, observed, condemned resoundingly the alarming pattern of some officials of the ruling party, NDC, being involved in illegal mining,” he stated.
He referenced the case of Honourable Oscar Larbi, which the Coalition raised in a formal petition to President John Mahama, a move they say has received an official response from the presidency.
“New reports implicate the NDC constituency chairperson in Axim and Dunkwa of being deeply involved in the galamsey operation. This is unacceptable,” Ashigbey stressed.
He acknowledged the public stance taken by the NDC leadership, including President Mahama, against galamsey, as well as efforts by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to curb the illegal activity. Nonetheless, he warned that these efforts risk being undermined by local party officials accused of profiting from the practice.
“The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and the IGP have demonstrated an attitude to deal with it; however, some of their local officials allegedly profit from it,” he said.
