The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reiterated that it does not support calls for a state of emergency to tackle illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
National Communications Officer Sammy Gyamfi stated that the party has never backed such a move, even while in opposition.
Speaking in an interview with Joy FM, Mr Gyamfi said, “We don’t support a state of emergency because even in opposition, we never made that call. I was National Communication Officer of the NDC, and I still am; I never made that call.”
He clarified that only certain party officials—including the flagbearer, national chairman, general secretary, and communications officer—can speak officially on behalf of the NDC. “None of us made that call. The party in parliament never made that call. So if you cite some examples of individual NDC members who might have supported a certain call, it doesn’t mean they were speaking for the collective or corporate body called the NDC,” he explained.
Mr Gyamfi argued that a state of emergency would be both unnecessary and ineffective, citing the 2017–2018 small-scale mining ban under President Akufo-Addo as an example of a failed approach. “In 2018, Ghana exported more small-scale gold than in 2016, 2015, and 2014 put together, when there was no ban. So the ban never worked. What worked was that those responsible for the ban took advantage of it and rather took over the galamsey business themselves,” he alleged.
He maintained that existing governmental and security structures already have the powers needed to tackle illegal mining if properly enforced. “The fact that there is still an incidence of wrong is no justification for a state of emergency. The powers we have as a government, the powers the president has, the ministers have, the police have, and the security agencies have are enough, adequate, and sufficient for dealing with the menace of galamsey,” Mr Gyamfi said.
Source: Clara Seshie
