Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has cautioned that Ghana risks disaster if it fails to decisively end illegal mining, widely known as galamsey.
His warning follows renewed calls by religious groups and civil society organisations for the declaration of a state of emergency to address the menace. President John Dramani Mahama, however, has argued that such a measure should remain a last resort.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View with Bernard Avle on Wednesday, September 17, Ablakwa underscored the urgency of action.
“Let me be honest with you, on galamsey, I believe that we can do better. And all the propositions I made in the past, I stand by them. We’re on a suicidal path if we don’t stop this. We must take this up and win this war,” he said.
The Minister expressed confidence in President Mahama’s commitment to tackling the challenge, stating that he believes the government will ultimately succeed.
He further noted that the best tribute to the eight state officials who lost their lives in the August 6 helicopter crash would be to secure victory in the fight against galamsey.
