President John Dramani Mahama has stated that the National Security Council does not currently recommend declaring a state of emergency to tackle the ongoing illegal mining crisis, commonly referred to as galamsey.
Addressing stakeholders in Accra on the issue, the President explained that while he has the constitutional authority to declare a state of emergency, such a decision must follow the counsel of the National Security Council. He noted that, for now, the Council believes the fight against galamsey can be effectively handled using existing legal and security mechanisms.
“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.
However, the President also made it clear that he would not hesitate to declare it should the security leadership deem it necessary in the future.
“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 remarks come amid renewed pressure from civil society organisations and faith-based groups urging the government to take more drastic measures to stop the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining.
Despite not invoking emergency powers, Mahama reiterated his government’s full commitment to the fight, referencing ongoing reforms, prosecutions, and inter-agency operations aimed at dismantling illegal mining networks and restoring Ghana’s degraded lands and water bodies.
Ghana travel guides
“We still believe we have the power to win this fight,” he concluded.
