The air inside Jubilee House on Wednesday evening was tense but hopeful. Journalists, policy analysts, and everyday Ghanaians tuned in, waiting to hear if President John Dramani Mahama would finally declare a state of emergency over illegal mining, a menace that has poisoned rivers, scarred forests, and shaken communities across the country.
But the President was clear. A state of emergency, he said, is “not yet necessary.”
Instead, Mahama laid out a path rooted in the laws Ghana already has. He explained that government agencies still have the power to arrest illegal miners, seize excavators, and prosecute offenders — powers that, in his words, must be “fully and consistently applied” before extraordinary steps are taken.
To back his stance, Mahama highlighted a package of measures: strict permits for importing excavators, real-time tracking of heavy-duty equipment, bans on harmful chemicals in gold processing, and a dedicated task force with body cameras to ensure accountability. Local authorities, he added, will also be tasked to protect rivers and forest reserves by enforcing land-use rules.
His decision sparked a wave of reactions. Some citizens welcomed the move, praising the President’s cautious but steady hand. Others felt let down, insisting that without a dramatic declaration, illegal mining will continue to outpace enforcement. “We’ve seen governments talk tough before. What matters now is visible action,” one frustrated citizen remarked.
Political voices are just as split. NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has long warned that emergency powers could threaten democracy and civil liberties, while civil society groups argue that without drastic steps, environmental damage could soon become irreversible.
For now, Mahama is betting on Ghana’s institutions. He insists the fight can be won without suspending normal governance — but he also left the door open, hinting that if the current path fails, emergency measures could still come into play.
The battle lines are drawn. What remains is whether the laws we already have and the will to enforce them will be enough to stop the tide of galamsey before it sinks deeper into Ghana’s soil and future.
