State of Emergency on Galamsey a Threat to Democracy – Asiedu Nketiah Warns

National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has shot down proposals for a state of emergency to combat illegal mining, describing it as a dangerous path that could destabilize Ghana’s democracy.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, August 26, he admitted that galamsey is a grave national crisis but stressed that suspending constitutional rule in the name of fighting it would be reckless.

“Work is ongoing in the galamsey fight, but declaring a state of emergency is not the solution. In your frustration, you can call for measures that you may later regret,” he cautioned.

Mr. Nketiah argued that emergency rule could open the door to abuses. “If you declare a state of emergency, it means the constitution is suspended. People can shoot and kill at will—and how will you know those doing the killing are even fighting galamsey?” he asked.

He urged stakeholders to instead champion sustainable, law-based solutions and reforms, insisting that the fight must be grounded in the rule of law and broad national consensus rather than extraordinary measures that could erode democratic governance.