The issue of galamsey – illegal small-scale mining – is back on the national agenda as environmental Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and concerned citizens sound the alarm on what they describe as an existential threat to Ghana’s ecosystems and water bodies.
At the center of the storm is President John Mahama, who is facing mounting pressure to declare a state of emergency to combat the crisis. But the president, while acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, has firmly pushed back on the demand, stating that “enough laws already exist to deal with the situation.”
President Mahama’s comments have not gone down well with many, sparking widespread frustration among environmental advocates and affected communities. They argue that the status quo is not working — and that bolder, more decisive action is urgently needed. But what would a state of emergency actually mean in the context of illegal mining? And what are the implications of the president’s current stance?
Understanding the State of Emergency Option
Declaring a state of emergency would grant the government extraordinary powers enabling it to override or accelerate normal legal and constitutional processes.
Globally, such measures are typically reserved for national crises where conventional methods have demonstrably failed. If declared in the fight against galamsey, here’s what it could look like:
* Security forces deployed at scale in mining hotspots, not just as task forces, but as sustained enforcement units.
* Restricted access to rivers, forests, and affected lands, with controlled movement in those areas.
* Immediate seizure and destruction of illegal mining equipment — such as excavators, dredges, and changfans — without the delays of drawn-out legal procedures.
* Fast-tracked court processes for illegal mining offenses, with quicker sentencing.
* Urgent redirection of national resources, including funding, manpower, and logistics, to combat the crisis.
Why Mahama Is Holding Back?
President Mahama’s decision to hold off on invoking emergency powers reflects a more measured approach:
* The government is leaning on existing tools — ramping up training of Blue River Guards, recruiting more personnel to protect water bodies and forests, and enforcing environmental laws.
* A state of emergency could lead to sacrifices from citizens, including potential curtailment of movement or other civil liberties in affected areas.
* There’s also a recognition that emergency powers, once triggered, can be controversial and politically charged.
Mahama’s position is clear: a state of emergency should be a last resort, not a first response.
The debate over how to tackle galamsey is far from over. As pressure mounts and environmental degradation worsens, Ghanaians will be watching closely to see whether current efforts yield results or if the government will be forced to reach for the emergency lever.
Until then, President Mahama’s message is unmistakable: “Use what we already have – and only when that fails, escalate.”
