Presidential aspirant of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has urged the government to impose a 90-day nationwide suspension on all mining activities as part of an emergency effort to confront the deepening illegal mining (galamsey) crisis.
Addressing journalists at the end of his campaign tour in the Greater Accra Region on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, Dr. Acheampong warned that Ghana faces an “imminent security and environmental disaster” if decisive action is not taken to protect the nation’s rivers, farmlands, and food systems.
He explained that a temporary halt would allow government agencies, environmental regulators, and industry players to realign policies and reset the mining sector for responsible and sustainable operations.
Dr. Acheampong said the time had come for bold national action rather than piecemeal interventions.
“Galamsey, halt it for 90 days, stop it. Everybody should stop mining in this country. Regardless of the financial consequences, we have to agree that for the next 90 days, I’m not talking about even a state of emergency, 90 days, rainy season, let’s clear our water bodies.”
“Let’s engage how we go back to mining. We cannot stop or repair the tie or the track of a moving train as fast as it is speeding. We need to agree. And I’m not talking about state of emergency. That mining, regardless of where, should stop now for the next 90 days. Let’s regroup. Let’s rethink and see how we can launch back into responsible mining.”
He stressed that his proposal was not a call for a state of emergency but a “strategic pause” to safeguard the nation’s future.
His comments follow increasing pressure from civil society organizations, including the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, who have demanded that the government declare a national emergency over illegal mining.
