Declare State of Emergency in Galamsey Areas – Coalition Convener Urges Government
Convener of the Coalition Against Galamsey, Ghana, Dr. Ken Ashigbey, says the conditions for declaring a state of emergency in illegal mining-affected areas already exist and has urged government to act decisively.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Dr. Ashigbey recalled that President John Dramani Mahama himself has described galamsey as a national emergency, yet state institutions have been slow to follow through with decisive measures.
“We know the president, and that he is not a person who will implement a law in its draconian nature. So, we believe that under a state of emergency, we can be specific in the way we apply it and what it is that we do,” he said.
He cited the destruction of water bodies as justification for such a declaration.
“Currently, if we take all our water bodies, there is no fishing going on in them. But the ‘chamfans’ are still on them. There are many places where people have blocked portions of rivers and are mining illegally. You can declare a state of emergency in those areas,” he explained.
Dr. Ashigbey also pointed to forest reserves which, despite some reclamation efforts, continue to suffer from illegal mining activities.
“The president said they have reclaimed about nine. Their grading used to be red and now some have improved to amber. But people are still destroying them. You can declare a state of emergency in those as well so that no excavator moves into those communities,” he added.
He argued that Article 39 of the Constitution provides clear grounds for declaring a national emergency, insisting that the current scale of environmental destruction meets those criteria.
“The president has said it himself that it is a national emergency, and it is because the ingredients that constitute a national emergency in Article 39 are all clearly shown. So, I don’t know what the national security is not telling the president,” he lamented.
His comments add to renewed calls from civil society, faith-based groups, and environmental advocates for stronger government action to halt galamsey, which continues to devastate rivers, forests, and farmlands nationwide.
Please download our HOTDIGITAL ONLINE APP and follow HotDigital Online on our social media platforms to stay updated on our upcoming initiatives.
#HotDigitalHealthAwareness #CommunityHealth #GhanaNursesAssociationUK #HealthMatters #HotDigitalOnline #StrongerTogether
