Galamsey State of Emergency: Experts Link Crisis to Debt
Civil society bodies and environmental activists have strongly escalated their demands. They emphasize that a declaration of a Galamsey state of emergency in affected areas remains the most effective strategy. They believe this step is the surest bet to win the fight against illegal mining. The Fix the Country Movement joined this latest clarion call. They stand with the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG), the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Ghana Bar Association, and the University Teachers Association of Ghana. All these groups now contend that a state of emergency would inject crucial urgency into the fight against the menace. This pressure mounts despite the government’s existing plans. The administration indicated that they would designate illegal mining hot spots security zones. Furthermore, the state promised they would utilize relevant powers to tackle the menace.
Last Monday, the Fix the Country Movement staged a public protest against illegal mining in Accra. They marched from the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange to the Jubilee House. The protesters specifically stressed the urgent need for the government to declare a state of emergency. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the convener of GCAG, spoke to the Daily Graphic. He argued the current scale of environmental destruction resembles a country under siege by external aggressors. He insisted the military must unleash their power to defend citizens. Dr. Ashigbey, who also serves as the CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, asserted that a state of emergency would allow the President to take bold and urgent actions. This approach would save the country from “environmental terrorists” without getting bogged down by due process.
For instance, Dr. Ashigbey highlighted a previous action. The distribution of water pumps seized from illegal miners to farmers constituted an illegality. Mining laws provide specific provisions on the legal procedures for confiscation and forfeiture of those items. Conversely, under a state of emergency, the government could sell the seized equipment. It could then give the money to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) to work efficiently. Again, he stated the government could confiscate land where illegal mining thrives from the chiefs. This action would serve as a powerful deterrent to others. In fact, chiefs who watch over illegal mining in their areas could face immediate arrest or destoolment under a Galamsey state of emergency. This move would certainly bring needed urgency to the fight. Additionally, any unauthorized persons found near prohibited resources, such as land and water bodies, would face prompt arrest and prosecution.
Economist and Professor of Finance at the University of Ghana Business School, Prof. Godfred A. Bokpin, supported the activists. He stated all indicators warrant the declaration of a state of emergency to save the environment. Prof. Bokpin pointed to the rising turbidity levels in the country’s rivers. He noted the increasing importation of water from other countries. For instance, he stated that in 2023 alone, Ghana spent over $11 million importing water from Togo, Nigeria, and other places. The economist stressed that the government cannot sustainably manage the public debt if environmental destruction persists. If the situation requires budgetary allocation to reclaim land and water bodies, it will inevitably lead to imposing more taxes on all citizens. Prof. Bokpin emphasized that the problem represents an internal threat. He argued, “This is even more dangerous than external aggression.”
President John Dramani Mahama recently addressed the issue. He said the declaration of a state of emergency was the “last arrow” in the galamsey fight. However, he gave a firm assurance. The gamut of measures the government is rolling out would tackle illegal mining head-on. These measures include tracking excavators, revoking the law that allowed mining in forest reserves, and deploying blue water guards. The President also confirmed that Ghana Armed Forces personnel would permanently station themselves at hot spots to clamp down on illegal mining. The activists, however, remain steadfast in their demand for the immediate declaration of a Galamsey state of emergency.
Source: Graphiconline
