National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has dismissed calls for a state of emergency as a solution to Ghana’s illegal mining crisis, describing the proposal as reckless and dangerous to the country’s democracy.
Speaking on Channel One TV on Tuesday, August 26, Mr. Nketiah admitted that illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, is a pressing national challenge. However, he cautioned that suspending constitutional order in the name of fighting the menace would create more problems than it seeks to solve. He warned that emergency rule would grant excessive power to security agencies, which could lead to abuses and violence without accountability.
He urged that the fight against galamsey be anchored in democratic processes, rule of law, and comprehensive reforms. According to him, only structured enforcement and sustainable policies can deliver lasting results, unlike emergency measures that risk plunging the country into chaos.
