By asiedu

Copyright ahotoronline

The Coalition Against Illegal Mining has renewed its call for the government to declare a state of emergency in regions heavily affected by illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
At a press conference held in Accra on Monday, September 15, the Convener of the Coalition, Dr. Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, warned that the escalating menace of illegal mining poses a severe threat to public health, national security, and the livelihoods of millions of Ghanaians.
“Illegal mining has reached crisis levels,” Dr. Ashigbey stated. “We are therefore demanding urgent and decisive action from the government, including the immediate declaration of a state of emergency in galamsey-affected areas.”
He referenced Article 31 (9A and 9B) of the 1992 Constitution, which outlines the conditions under which a state of emergency may be declared, noting that the destruction caused by illegal mining clearly meets those criteria.
“The current galamsey situation, where environmental criminals are deliberately polluting and destroying water bodies, effectively depriving entire communities of access to potable water which is an essential for life constitutes grounds for emergency intervention,” he emphasized.
The Coalition also highlighted the economic toll of illegal mining, pointing to Ghana Water Limited’s recent application for increased tariffs as evidence of the rising cost of water treatment due to galamsey-induced pollution. In light of this, the group urged Ghana Water Limited to regularly publish national water turbidity levels to ensure transparency and public awareness about the quality of treated water.
Furthermore, the Coalition demanded accountability at all levels of governance, calling on the government to prosecute officials found complicit in illegal mining activities.
“Blaming past administrations is not a strategy,” Dr. Ashigbey asserted. “We need real action now. Those in power must demonstrate political will by holding all culprits regardless of political affiliation accountable under the law.”
The Coalition reiterated that the fight against galamsey is not just an environmental issue, but a national emergency that demands a unified, non-partisan respons.
Story: Nyamebeye Kofi Ansah Sasraku