President John Dramani Mahama said Friday that his administration can prevail in its campaign against illegal mining—known locally as galamsey—without resorting to emergency powers, despite mounting pressure from civil society and religious groups.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement on illegal mining in Accra, Mahama acknowledged his constitutional authority to declare a state of emergency but said the National Security Council has advised against it, believing that current legal and security measures remain adequate.
“Yes, I have the power to do it,” Mr. Mahama said. “But the president acts not only on his authority but also on the advice of the National Security Council… as of now, they believe we can win the fight against galamsey without a state of emergency.”
The president’s comments come amid intensifying calls for more aggressive government action to curb widespread environmental degradation caused by small-scale, unregulated mining. Faith-based organizations and environmental advocacy groups have criticized the government for what they view as a sluggish response to the escalating crisis.
Still, Mahama signaled he would not hesitate to invoke emergency powers if security assessments change. “The day they advise me otherwise — that now we need a state of emergency — I will not hesitate in declaring it,” he said.
Despite ruling out a state of emergency for now, Mahama reiterated his administration’s full commitment to tackling the issue. He pointed to a combination of legal reforms, criminal prosecutions, and inter-agency operations designed to dismantle illegal mining operations and rehabilitate Ghana’s degraded lands and polluted water bodies.
“We still believe we have the power to win this fight,” he said.
Illegal gold mining has become a flashpoint in Ghana, Africa’s second-largest gold producer, where thousands of unauthorized miners have been blamed for polluting rivers, destroying farmlands, and clashing with law enforcement. The challenge poses both an environmental and political test for the Mahama administration as it seeks to balance economic interests with long-term sustainability.
