Minority Chief Whip Kwame Governs Agbodza has urged the government to tackle the illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) crisis with the same intensity as the fight against drug trafficking and murder.
Speaking in an interview with TV3’s Komla Kluste on Wednesday, September 11, the Adaklu MP stressed that this approach is crucial to effectively curbing the devastating impact of galamsey. “To see real results in the fight against galamsey, we must treat it as seriously as drug trafficking and murder,” Agbodza remarked.
In contrast, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, argued that declaring a state of emergency over galamsey would be too extreme. While acknowledging the president’s authority to make such a decision, Jinapor cautioned against it, calling it “far-reaching” and “draconian.”
Jinapor made these comments during a media engagement on the same day, noting, “Declaring a state of emergency is within the president’s power, but I consider it a very drastic measure. We need to engage in discussions and find a consensus.”
Prominent figures, including governance expert Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah, have called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to declare a state of emergency in areas severely affected by galamsey. Speaking on TV3’s *The Big Issue* on Monday, September 9, Professor Agyeman-Duah emphasized that galamsey poses an existential threat to the nation due to its detrimental effects on water bodies and the environment. He advocated for an immediate state of emergency and a temporary suspension of mining licenses to allow for strategic reflection.
Professor Agyeman-Duah also criticized the president’s silence on the issue, stating, “The president’s silence is concerning. We must act now, and declaring a state of emergency in affected areas is critical.”
His remarks come as health sector unions, including the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, the Ghana Medical Association, and others, have called for an immediate ban on all small-scale mining activities. In a joint statement, the unions highlighted the severe environmental damage caused by galamsey, particularly its impact on water resources. The Ghana Water Company recently reported a significant reduction in water production—60% in the Western Region and 30% in the Central Region—due to pollution and silting from galamsey activities.
The unions demanded urgent government action, emphasizing the need to strengthen regulatory enforcement and prosecute violators. They also urged all political parties to make public commitments to combat illegal mining activities in Ghana.
