Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Midday News on Tuesday, September 16, Dr. Ashigbey argued that the EPA deputy misrepresented the Constitution and Ghana’s emergency laws. He clarified that a state of emergency is not about indiscriminate military action but about empowering the government to take lawful, targeted steps to combat illegal mining and protect lives.

“I am not too sure the deputy of the EPA has read the Constitution, Articles 31 and 32, or the Emergency Powers Act, 1994 (Act 472). Because if you look into those two pieces of legislation, you will see what the government should do. Under a state of emergency, you don’t go and take a gun and shoot people. That is not what anybody is asking for,” he stressed.

Dr. Ashigbey explained that emergency powers would allow the government to:

• Restrict movement in polluted areas

• Deport non-citizens engaged in galamsey

• Take immediate control of seized excavators without lengthy court processes

• Search premises without a warrant

• Temporarily suspend certain laws to restore order

“These are the things you do under a state of emergency. You can take control and acquire property, or you can restrict access to water bodies currently destroyed by galamsey. The law is very clear… So let nobody throw dust into our eyes,” he emphasised.

He further criticised Prof. Ayamga-Adongo for downplaying the devastating impact of galamsey on Ghanaian lives.

“Is the EPA Deputy CEO not seeing the eight people who die? He’s not seeing the people whose renal diseases are taking them away? Is he not seeing people who are losing their lives because of this menace?” he questioned.

Dr. Ashigbey expressed confidence that President John Mahama would uphold constitutional provisions if a state of emergency were declared.

“This is a President who upholds the rule of law. He is not a President who will be draconian in his dealings,” he maintained.

Source: Emma Ankrah

His plea follows the tragic helicopter crash on 6th August, which claimed the lives of eight people who were en route to an anti-galamsey event in Obuasi.

In the aftermath of the incident, the government announced a renewed push to tackle illegal mining across the country.

In an interview on Channel One TV on Monday, 18th August, Dr. Ashigbey stressed that galamsey should be treated as a national security threat.

“We need to address this as a national security crisis, and it must be confronted head-on,” he stated. “One of the things we’ve been advocating for is the declaration of a state of emergency. We’re not suggesting this for the entire country or even the whole district. Where the issue is most pressing, like certain communities, we should declare a state of emergency.”

Dr. Ashigbey pointed to Dunkwa in the Central Region as a case in point, suggesting that the government could declare a state of emergency in areas such as the Offin River to curtail illegal mining activities.

“For instance, in Dunkwa, around Offin River, the government could declare a state of emergency, prohibiting access to the water.

“This would allow the police and the Forestry Commission to be empowered to take decisive action against illegal miners,” he explained.

He reiterated the Coalition’s stance that robust enforcement of the law is vital to safeguarding Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves from the destructive impact of galamsey.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, in a letter dated July 15, 2025, instructed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to conduct a full investigation into the two party executives following reports implicating them in unauthorised mining operations.

Speaking on Accra-based Channel One TV, Dr. Ashigbey criticised EOCO’s silence on the matter, stressing that the law must be enforced without political considerations.

“The NDC’s National Organiser and National Vice Chairman have been pointed out by the AG to be investigated. Unfortunately, EOCO, we have not heard anything from you. Just as they did to Akonta Mining [Chairman Wontumi], they should arrest these two gentlemen and conduct the investigations,” he stated.

Dr. Ashigbey also expressed concern about the lack of progress in the case involving the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, who was previously arrested in connection with Akonta Mining.

“We don’t see what is happening to Akonta Mining; he and his other director should be dragged to court,” he added.

The coalition leader further urged that the Member of Parliament for Aowin, Oscar Ofori Larbi, be investigated after local chiefs reportedly linked him to illegal mining activities.

His comments follow the August 6 helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region that claimed eight lives.

The victims were reported to be on their way to a mining-related engagement when the incident occurred, prompting the government to renew its crackdown on galamsey.

Source: Adomonline.com

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Speaking at a press conference at the International Press Centre, Dr. Ashigbey, who also serves as Convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, recalled that President John Dramani Mahama and other top officials had made public assurances to scrap the controversial regulation, which permits mining in protected forest areas.

“This was communicated through several public declarations by His Excellency the President himself, both before and after the 2024 elections,” Dr. Ashigbey stated.

He further noted that on May 8, 2025, the President’s Special Advisor on Lands and Natural Resources, Prof. Jerry S.Y. Kuma, affirmed that the President had directed a full revocation of the LI.

However, Dr. Ashigbey expressed deep disappointment that, despite these assurances, no formal steps have been taken in Parliament to initiate the revocation process.

“To the best of our knowledge, there is currently no order of business in Parliament reflecting this crucial item,” he said.

He accused the government of “deliberately playing games” with the Ghanaian people and warned that the silence on the matter could not be ignored.

“Our demand for the revocation of LI 2462 still stands. This is not about politics — it’s about protecting Ghana’s forest reserves and the vital ecosystem services they provide,” he emphasised.

Dr. Ashigbey warned that any attempt to merely amend the legislation, rather than revoke it entirely, would be strongly resisted.

“We will not accept an amendment crafted to satisfy the interests of a few individuals while ignoring the national interest. LI 2462 must be revoked — and with urgency.”

With the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, set to mature and come into force, Dr. Ashigbey cautioned that if the government fails to act, citizens will be compelled to return to court to continue their legal battle.

“That would be most unfortunate,” he added, “especially at a time when Ghanaians are yearning for a genuine reset in governance.”

ALSO READ:

• Five arrested in Ashanti region for illegal water connections

• Kwabre East Engineers demolish 20 illegal structures on waterways to curb flooding

Speaking at a forum on September 11, Dr. Ashigbey highlighted the ongoing drought in eight regions as a pressing indicator of the situation’s urgency.

“We are facing a drought, and if we don’t act now, we will soon be licking clay for water,” he cautioned.

His remarks follow a serious warning from the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), which reported that water losses during treatment have skyrocketed beyond acceptable limits.

According to GWCL, the ideal water loss rate in treatment plants should be around 5%, but the current levels range from 35% to 50%, a situation Dr. Ashigbey described as “detrimental to public health.”

Dr. Ashigbey also urged the president to declare a state of emergency for water bodies affected by illegal mining by invoking Article 31 of the Constitution.

“The President has the power under Article 31 to declare a state of emergency. It’s time to act,” he stated.

In addition, he criticised the Speaker of Parliament for just calling for MPs involved in illegal mining to be publicly named instead of taking decisive action.

He also warned that if decisive action is not taken, the Media Coalition Against Galamsey would initiate a media blackout on environmental issues related to the Lands Ministry.

Source: Adomonline

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