Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Akwasi Konadu, has argued that President John Dramani Mahama cannot declare a state of emergency on illegal mining (galamsey) because Ghana’s economy is heavily dependent on gold revenue.
At his recent media encounter in Accra on Wednesday, September 10, President Mahama said his administration would not hastily resort to a state of emergency in addressing galamsey, stressing that such a measure should be considered only as a last resort.
While acknowledging growing public calls for tougher measures, the President maintained that existing laws already give the state enough authority to act.
“I’ve been reluctant to implement a state of emergency in the galamsey fight because we’ve not exhausted the powers we even have without a state of emergency,” he said.
Reacting on Citi FM, Mr. Konadu said the President’s response only highlighted his government’s lack of political will to end the menace.
“To declare a state of emergency does not necessarily mean you’re putting soldiers on the road and shooting people as we’ve seen in Manso Tontokrom and other places where Assembly members and individuals have been shot at. It requires that you put a total halt on illegal mining. The President’s response is very shameful, and I find that he’s never going to be able to do that,” he argued.
He further claimed that President Mahama’s own words revealed the true reason for his hesitation. According to him, the President had openly admitted that Ghana’s economy is being propped up by gold exports, making it politically difficult to take decisive action.
“From the trajectory of his comments, it’s clear the economy is being sustained by gold and its sale. When he met the Bishops Conference, he told them we must be prepared to sacrifice. Yesterday he reiterated that point, adding that the high levels of small-scale illegal mining are due to high gold prices, and he even cited Peru as an example, which I thought was very unnecessary,” Mr. Konadu said.
The Manhyia North MP stressed that Ghana needs urgent and bold action to stop environmental destruction, not excuses tied to gold prices or international comparisons.
Source: Adomonline
