Acting Director-General of the National Road Safety (NRSA), Abraham Amaliba has dismissed calls for a declaration of state of emergency in illegal mining areas.
Several Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have called on President Mahama to declare a state of emergency in illegal mining areas to curtail the menace of galamsey activities.
But the President has shot down such calls, insisting that a state of emergency is the “last resort” to the galamsey fight and it’s not yet time for such an action to be taken.
Speaking on TV3 New Day’s The Big Issue, Friday, October 3, 2025, Abraham Amaliba explained that a complete declaration of an emergency of state will affect other persons living in mining communities who have no business with galamsey activities.
He said such an action will limit the movement of these persons who are not involved in illegal mining.
“Under a state of emergency, people’s (right are curtailed) we are not pigmeats, we don’t live in the forest, we live away from the forest. This mining is taking place in the forest, how about those who live in the community who don’t have anything to do with the forest.
“Why should the conduct of some people in the forest affect those in the community? That’s why we are restraining the use of this state of emergency. People will be caught up who have no business with this galamsey thing,” he stated.
He added: “I’m saying that when state of emergency is declared, people’s fundamental human rights are curtailed in terms of movement. Why should that even be? Why should people be restrained?”
If that happens, people who are not connected to the galamsey menace will be affected. We need to respect minority rights.
However, he noted that declaring these forests and water body areas as security zones is the way to go.
He emphasised that since the area of concern is the forest reserves and water bodies, soldiers manning up the galamsey sites will be the effective way to stop galamseyers from engaging in illegal mining.
“But if you station soldiers and create a camp at the entrance of the forest, no man will enter. That is the way to deal with it because your concern is not the whole community, your concern is that forest and water body area so why will you extend any mishap to members of the community when there are some who have nothing to do with galamsey,” he added.
Meanwhile, President Mahama will meet civil society organisations (CSOs) for an engagement on the illegal small-scale mining (Galamsey) to find a lasting solution to the menace.
The meeting will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 12:00 noon.
A letter issued by Dr Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President, the dialogue will serve as a platform for frank and constructive discussions aimed at harnessing collective expertise and perspectives.
“This engagement aims to provide a platform for frank and constructive dialogue between the Government and civil society on the menace of illegal mining, with a view to harnessing collective expertise, perspectives, and solutions to address this national challenge,” the letter stated.
Galamsey fight: It’s not yet time to declare state of emergency – Dormaahene
