Mahama clarifies galamsey position, says state of emergency would be a last resort

President John Dramani Mahama has clarified that he has not announced plans to declare a state of emergency to tackle illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. Speaking to Ghanaians in New York on September 25, the President said such a measure could be considered in serious circumstances but should remain a last resort.

The clarification follows reports and public discussion suggesting that the government could invoke emergency powers as part of its response to illegal mining. President Mahama said he had never stated that he would declare a state of emergency, and he explained why he considered the measure difficult to apply to a problem affecting multiple parts of the country.

According to the President, states of emergency are generally designed to deal with serious situations in specific areas for a limited period. He questioned how such an approach would work when illegal mining activities are reported across several regions of Ghana rather than being concentrated in a single location.

The President said the government already has legal and institutional powers to take action against illegal miners. He pointed to targeted operations in identified galamsey hotspots and said the government would continue using available mechanisms to address the environmental and community impacts associated with illegal mining.

Illegal mining has remained a major national issue because of its effects on water bodies, forests, agricultural land and communities. Mining activities that are conducted without the required authorisation can cause soil degradation, damage vegetation and increase the risk of pollution in rivers and streams.

The government’s response has included enforcement operations, efforts to protect forest reserves and discussions about strengthening monitoring of rivers and other environmentally sensitive areas. President Mahama said nine forest reserves had been cleared of illegal miners and that military camps were being maintained in some areas to prevent illegal miners from returning.

He also referred to the need for additional water guards to strengthen efforts to protect rivers and their tributaries. The reference reflects the broader challenge of enforcing environmental rules in areas where illegal mining activities can move from one location to another.

The question of emergency powers is significant because a formal state of emergency can give government authorities additional powers while also triggering constitutional requirements and potential restrictions on certain rights. President Mahama therefore said it should not be treated as the first response to illegal mining.

For communities affected by galamsey, the focus remains on the practical impact of enforcement and environmental protection. Residents in mining areas have raised concerns over water quality, land degradation and the condition of rivers and forests. At the same time, the mining sector provides livelihoods for many people, creating a policy challenge that involves both environmental protection and economic activity.

Any effective response therefore involves multiple institutions and stakeholders, including security agencies, environmental regulators, local authorities, traditional leaders, mining communities and licensed mining operators. Enforcement alone may not address all of the economic factors that encourage illegal mining.

President Mahama’s latest comments indicate that the government intends to continue using targeted interventions rather than immediately invoking emergency powers. Whether that approach changes in the future would depend on developments on the ground and any subsequent government decision.

The clarification also helps distinguish between discussion of an emergency option and an actual decision to declare one. As of the President’s September 25 remarks, no state of emergency for galamsey had been announced. Public statements about the issue should therefore distinguish the President’s explanation of the legal option from a formal declaration.

The fight against illegal mining is expected to remain a significant environmental and governance issue in Ghana. Further updates will likely focus on enforcement operations, the condition of affected water bodies and forests, the work of water guards and the government’s broader strategy for reducing illegal mining.

Source: MyJoyOnline, Citi Newsroom and President John Dramani Mahama’s September 25 town hall remarks.