‘I never said I’ll declare a state of emergency to end galamsey’ – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has rejected reports that his administration intends to declare a state of emergency as part of efforts to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Addressing Ghanaians in New York on Friday, September 25, President Mahama said he had never indicated that the government would invoke such a measure, stressing that a state of emergency should only be considered as a last resort.

“They said I said a state of emergency. I never ever said that. I never ever said I'll declare a state of emergency,” President Mahama said.

He explained that although a state of emergency could be used to address serious national challenges, it was generally designed to be temporary and could involve restrictions on certain rights and freedoms.

According to the President, the nationwide nature of illegal mining also made the declaration of a state of emergency a complicated option, given that galamsey activities affect several regions.

“But states of emergency are useful, but you declare them as a last resort. If you declare a state of emergency, you normally declare it in an isolated area and you deal with the issue.

“You concentrate all your energy there, deal with the issue, and you finish it, and you lift the state of emergency,” he added.

President Mahama said the government already had sufficient legal authority to deal with illegal mining and was using targeted interventions in communities and areas identified as galamsey hotspots.

While acknowledging the challenges involved in ending illegal mining, he reaffirmed the government’s determination to address the activity and mitigate its effects on the environment and affected communities.