President John Dramani Mahama has indicated that the National Security Council does not currently consider declaring a state of emergency in response to the ongoing war against illegal mining, often known as galamsey.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement on illegal mining in Accra, the President stated that, while he has the constitutional authority to declare a state of emergency, such action must be based on advice from the National Security Council, which currently believes the battle against galamsey can be won using existing legal and security frameworks.
“Yes, I have the power to do it,” Mahama said. “But the president acts not only on his authority but also on the advice of the National Security Council…as of now, the National Security Council believes that we can win the fight against galamsey without a state of emergency,” he affirmed.
But the President also stated that if the security leadership ever felt the need to proclaim it, he would not think twice about doing so.
“The day they advise me otherwise — that now we need a state of emergency — I will not hesitate in declaring it,” he said.
Mahama’s comments coincide with a renewed push by faith-based organizations and civil society organizations for the government to take more decisive action to halt the environmental damage brought on by illicit mining.
Mahama reaffirmed his government’s complete commitment to the battle without using emergency powers, citing ongoing reforms, prosecutions, and interagency operations meant to break up illegal mining networks and restore Ghana’s devastated lands and water bodies.
“We still believe we have the power to win this fight,” he concluded.
