Richard Ahiagbah, Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is urging the government to declare a state of emergency to tackle the worsening illegal mining crisis—commonly known as galamsey.
Speaking during an interview on Channel One TV, Ahiagbah argued that all previous attempts to combat illegal mining have failed, and the environmental damage now poses a serious threat to Ghana’s future.
“The regular processes have proven ineffective. This situation calls for extraordinary measures,” he said. “You suspend certain constitutional applications to bring urgency and authority to the fight.”
According to him, declaring a state of emergency is non-negotiable if Ghana wants to prevent long-term environmental destruction.
“Without decisive action, the country risks irreversible environmental degradation,” he added.
Mahama Responds
Former President John Dramani Mahama, however, maintains that there are still unused tools within the current legal framework that can be deployed before a state of emergency is considered.
During a media briefing on Wednesday, September 10, Mahama stated:
“I’ve been reluctant to declare a state of emergency in the galamsey fight because we haven’t yet exhausted all the powers available under the current constitution.”
The debate continues to intensify, as many Ghanaians question whether tougher measures are now necessary to save the country's water bodies, forests, and agricultural lands from the ongoing devastation.
Source: MyNewsGh.com
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