Dafeamekpor Backs Security Zones Over Nationwide State of Emergency to Tackle Galamsey

Majority Chief Whip and South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor says he would support the creation of security zones in illegal mining (galamsey) hotspots instead of declaring a nationwide state of emergency, arguing that targeted action would better protect innocent communities.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, September 20, Mr. Dafeamekpor said declaring a state of emergency would impose unnecessary restrictions on people who have no connection to illegal mining.

“I will favour the declaration of security zones, because the declaration of security zones will also deal with the emergency situation of the matters,” he said.

“A state of emergency affects the lives of persons who have no business dealing with the activity. Movements are restricted, economic activities are adversely impacted. So, compartmentalise the areas and declare them as no-go areas, security zones. It’s a better alternative to the blanket imposition of a state of emergency.”

The MP acknowledged that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s ongoing anti-galamsey efforts have not yet produced dramatic results but maintained that progress is underway.

“The degradation has been so bad that it will take some time for us to begin to see the effect. But I can tell you that if we have guards that are armed and are chasing armed men out of our forest cover, reclaiming the land, I am sure a year from now, the water levels will begin to change for good,” he noted.

Dafeamekpor also proposed a temporary or complete ban on some forms of mining, including community mining, to allow the government’s interventions to take root.

On accountability, he criticised the former New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration for what he described as weak enforcement and limited prosecutions.

“If you compare [prosecutions] to the number of persons that are reported to be engaged in galamsey in excess of 3 million, then you haven’t done much,” he argued.

His remarks come in response to calls by the Catholic Bishops Conference for the government to declare a national emergency on illegal mining. Dafeamekpor insisted that targeted security zones would achieve the same goals without disrupting the livelihoods of law-abiding citizens.