A pressure group, OccupyGhana (OG) has suggested to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to declare a state of emergency at all mining areas in the country as part of the government’s efforts amidst the fight against illegal small-scale mining (galamsey).
The group said the high rate of the menace in Ghana is capable of depriving the community of the essentials of life however necessary measures are required for securing public safety.
A statement sighted by Angelonline.com.gh and dated Monday, September 3, 2022, Occupy Ghana indicated that the unprecedented and rampant scale of unregulated and illegal mining has reached a stage where Article 31(9) of the Constitution must be implemented.
“We risk losing our very essence as a nation unless immediate and radical action is taken, first to STOP all unregulated and illegal mining, and then put a process in place to regulate artisanal mining, going forward.
“We, therefore, request that you take immediate steps toward declaring a state of emergency in every mining area in Ghana. In accordance with article 31(1) of the Constitution, these steps would be, first, seeking and obtaining the advice of the Council of State and, second, publishing a Proclamation of the declaration in the Gazette,” part of the statement said.
OccupyGhana, thereafter, wants Parliament to be recalled from its vacation, for the government to place before it ‘the facts and circumstances leading to the declaration of the state of emergency under article 31(2).
“Considering the gravity of the situation, we fully expect Parliament to agree with the government and provide that the state of emergency should remain for such period as Parliament may determine so that the government can get a grasp of the situation.
“For our part, we have, and are willing to offer suggestions and proposals on how to establish a properly regulated artisanal mining industry in Ghana that would benefit the wider interest of all Ghanaians,” the group assured the president.
The group said it will use every Monday to remind the President of the need to fight galamsey that has destroyed the country’s water bodies and forest cover.
