The President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, the Dormaahene, has dismissed calls for the declaration of a state of emergency to address illegal mining (galamsey), describing the proposal as unnecessary at this stage.
Speaking after his swearing-in as a Justice of the Court of Appeal, the traditional leader emphasized that while galamsey remains a pressing national concern, the drastic measure of invoking a state of emergency is not the solution Ghana needs now.
“President Mahama was candid with his expectation of us,” the Dormaahene remarked, acknowledging the President’s charge to the newly appointed justices. Drawing on his decades of legal service, he added: “But being on the bench for 28 years, I understand that this is a huge responsibility.”
His comments come amid growing debate on whether government should escalate the fight against galamsey by invoking extraordinary constitutional measures. The Dormaahene’s stance adds a powerful traditional and judicial voice to the ongoing national conversation.
