Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency, Mustapha Gbande, believes it will be a rash decision for government to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining activities in Ghana.
Although there have been growing demands from environmentalists, civil society organisations and sections of the public for the declaration of a state of emergency, Mustapha Gbande says this is not the time.
“We shouldn’t be so quick to call for a state of emergency. This is not something you simply impose. Look at the situation today, forest reserves have effectively become no-go areas. We have witnessed calculated, precise military operations targeting these hotspots. The evidence is clear: many of these forest reserves are being reclaimed,” he said.
According to him, the Mahama led government has implemented new and effective approaches in fighting the illegal mining menace.
“We are making sure that the responsible institutions are not only functioning but operating more effectively than ever before. Would you say we are doing nothing? Should we suddenly declare a state of emergency now, when the cedi is stabilising and the economy is showing signs of revival largely thanks to gold regulations?”
He further reiterated the government’s commitment to accountability and enforcement of the law in the fight against illegal mining. Gbande emphasised the need for a measured and coordinated response rather than rash decisions that may not yield lasting results.
“The government has made it absolutely clear that anyone involved in illegal mining will face the full force of the law. It is therefore incumbent upon all of us to expose those, both within and outside government, who have engaged in or supported illegal mining. This is a matter we must handle with tact,” he stressed.
