President John Dramani Mahama has served notice that he will not hesitate to declare a state of emergency on the fight against illegal mining also known as galamsey upon the advice of the National Security Council.
The President says though the power lies in his bosom to make such declarations, it must be upon such advice
It follows calls by Civil Society Organizations and key stakeholders calling on government to declare a state of emergency following the devastation of the country’s water bodies and forest reserves caused by the illegal mining activities.
However, speaking at a high level stakeholder engagement with Civil Society Organizations on the fight against galamsey at the Jubilee House on Friday, October 3,2025, President Mahama
the National Security Council as of yet has not given any contrary advice
“Yes, I have the power to do it. But the President acts on the authority, not only on the authority, on the advice of the National Security Council. And as at now, this moment, the National Security Council believes that we can win the fight against galamsey without a state of emergency. I want to assure you that the day they advise me otherwise, that boss, now we need a state of emergency. I will not hesitate in declaring a state of emergency” he assured
According to President Mahama, government ha what it takes to win the fight against galamsey with the introduction of innovative approaches including resources mobilization and the activeness of the National Anti-illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS)
“We do still think that we have the powers to be able to win this fight.
And as we deploy more troops and we apply more resources to the fight, I’m sure that gradually we’ll begin to see that we’re winning the fight. And so we will continue to fight. I believe that we’ll win the fight against Galamse.
And I want to thank you for the advocacy that you continue to do. We’ll hold the next dialogue. NAIMOS will go to work and continue.
And once we chalk more successes, we’ll be able to come and update you that this is what we’re doing” he emphasized
He further reiterated government’s commitment to running a transparent administration while stating that his non involvement and interest in the activities of mining will further boost the fight
“We want to do it transparently. We have nothing to hide. I don’t gain anything from galamsey. I am not personally involved in galamsey. And I have no interest in it continuing.
And so you can be sure that we’re all on the same side. And we’ll continue to do this work”. President Mahama stressed
