Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has urged Ghanaians to exercise patience and support President John Dramani Mahama’s decision not to declare a state of emergency in areas affected by illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
Her comments come amid growing national debate over whether the government should invoke emergency powers to combat the deepening environmental and social crisis caused by illegal mining activities.
Speaking in response to President Mahama’s recent remarks, Sophia Akuffo called for a “wait and see” approach, arguing that the president’s commitment to using existing laws to tackle the issue should be given time to yield results.
“Measures have been put in place. So, we wait to see how these measures pan out. For all we know, these measures will begin to halt the menace. Benefit of the doubt—isn’t that what should be?” she said.
President Mahama earlier justified his reluctance to declare a state of emergency in galamsey-affected communities, asserting that Ghana’s current legal framework offers sufficient tools to deal with the crisis.
He described such a declaration as a “last resort,” a position that has elicited mixed reactions from civil society groups, legal experts, and the general public.
Justice Akuffo’s intervention adds a significant voice to the national conversation, as public pressure mounts on the government to take more decisive action against illegal mining, which continues to destroy farmlands, pollute rivers, and endanger communities across the country.
While some critics argue that the government’s approach lacks urgency, others, including Justice Akuffo, believe a legal and structured response could yield sustainable results if properly implemented and monitored.
