NDC never promised state of emergency to fight galamsey — Majority Leader

The Majority Leader in Parliament and MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has refuted claims that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) promised to declare a state of emergency to combat illegal mining (galamsey) while in opposition.

According to him, neither the party nor its then–presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, made such a commitment at any campaign rally or in the party’s manifesto.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, November 20, the lawmaker demanded a retraction from Okaikwei Central MP Patrick Yaw Boamah, who had insisted that the NDC made that promise.

“The NDC as a political party, and John Dramani Mahama as the candidate, never promised a state of emergency. The manifesto is there. The manifesto captures the promises we made to Ghanaians.

“There are video clips of every rally and every statement of the candidate, John Dramani Mahama, and he never promised a state of emergency. So I believe the Honourable Member can retract that. The state of emergency was never a commitment of John Dramani Mahama and the NDC,” the Majority Leader said.

Several anti-galamsey campaigners, including civil society organisations and the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, have called for a more aggressive response to the long-standing menace, including the declaration of a state of emergency.

However, during a meeting with CSOs at the Jubilee House on Friday, October 3, President John Mahama said he had consulted the National Security Council (NSC), which assured him that ongoing interventions remain strong enough.

“I want to assure you that the day they advise me otherwise, that ‘boss, now we need a state of emergency,’ I will not hesitate in declaring it,” assured the President.