Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has said he does not subscribe to calls from some sections of Ghanaians for the government to declare a state of emergency on galamsey.
Asiedu Nketia warn 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].”
Also, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II, the President of the National House of Chiefs, has said the media must name and shame chiefs and politicians involved in galamsey.
According to Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi, political interference has severely undermined national efforts to halt illegal mining.
He noted that when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) were in power, Jubilee House was being blamed for galamsey today, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), yet still Jubilee House is being blamed.
Addressing the issue, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi stated, “This forest was created in 1929, and even the local people were not allowed there to collect snails there, but now we are giving it out for people to go and do illegal and irresponsible mining.
During the NPP time, we were all blaming Jubilee House. During the NDC time, we are still blaming Jubliee House; they are involved, let’s speak up because it affects us. Now the price of bottled water is rising because in the village, they don’t get stream water to drink again”, he added.
Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi boldly stressed, “If we are serious about ending galamsey, we must name and shame every individual involved, whether a chief or a politician. There should be no sacred cows”.
In addition, Miracles Aboagye, an aide to former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has told the Mahama government to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining commonly known as galamsey.
The NPP man affirmed that it is not enough to say they are renewing the fight against galamsey.
According to Miracles Aboagye, Ghanaians want to see results and not rhetoric in the fight against galamsey.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, August 16, Miracles Aboagye stated, “I want them to declare the state of emergency now, as you believed in it in opposition”.
“It is absurd for them to be now giving excuses not to do that”, he added.
“What have you been doing all this time if you’re now going to renew the galamsey fight?” he asked.
Miracles Aboagye added, “It is not enough to say you are renewing the fight. The people want to see results, not rhetoric”.
“This is about the future of our children and the survival of our communities. We need leadership that will act firmly and consistently, not one that revisits the same promises every few years,” he emphasised.
Miracles Aboagye further cautioned the John Mahama-led government that posterity will judge them if they fail to tackle galamsey.
He added, “For the first time, they have in us, the NPP, an opposition party that has made a firm commitment not to do politics out of galamsey. They should take advantage of that and let us fix this existential threat once and for all. If they fail at it, posterity will judge them”.