President John Dramani Mahama has made it clear that any decision to declare a state of emergency over the menace of illegal small-scale mining will be guided by the National Security Council.
During a meeting with civil society organizations in Accra on Friday, October 3, the President explained that he acts on the advice of the Council and noted that, at present, its assessment is that the fight against galamsey can be won without invoking emergency powers. He added that if the Council were to advise otherwise in the future, he would not hesitate to take that step.
The clarification comes amid growing pressure from stakeholders who argue that the destruction caused by galamsey has already reached emergency proportions. Water bodies, farmlands, and forests continue to suffer widespread damage, with health and food security concerns becoming more urgent.
President Mahama emphasized that the government is pursuing a range of strategies to curb the menace. These include deploying security taskforces, strengthening regulatory enforcement, and introducing community monitoring initiatives. In addition, livelihood support programmes are being expanded to reduce the reliance of young people on illegal mining as a source of income.
He maintained that the declaration of a state of emergency would remain an option of last resort, dependent entirely on the security assessment of the National Security Council.
