President John Dramani Mahama has clarified that Ghana does not currently require a state of emergency to combat illegal mining, following advice from the National Security Council.
Speaking at a high-level dialogue with civil society organizations at the Jubilee House, the President emphasized that while he has the constitutional authority to declare such a measure, the council believes existing strategies are sufficient to tackle galamsey.
“Yes, I have the power to do it,” Mahama stated. “But the president acts not only on his authority but also on the advice of the National Security Council…as of now, the National Security Council believes that we can win the fight against galamsey without a state of emergency.”
He stressed, however, that the option remains open if the council later deems it necessary. “The day they advise me otherwise — that now we need a state of emergency — I will not hesitate in declaring it,” he said.
The remarks come amid growing calls from faith-based organizations, environmental advocates, and political actors, including the opposition New Patriotic Party, for stronger measures to halt the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining.
“We still believe we have the power to win this fight,” he concluded, underscoring confidence in the current strategies while keeping emergency measures as a last resort.
