In response to suggestions that the president should declare a state of emergency to address the galamsey crisis, the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) has presented a list of crucial demands.
Here are the coalition’s calls to action:
1. Declare a State of Emergency: According to Article 31.9 (a) and (b) of the Constitution, a state of emergency can be proclaimed in scenarios that threaten public safety and essential services. The ongoing Galamsey crisis has deprived many communities of access to clean water, essential for survival. The coalition urges the President to promptly declare a state of emergency in the affected areas.
2. Set milestones and timelines: The President needs to establish clear goals and deadlines to steer current efforts and demonstrate the government’s commitment to addressing the crisis. “We can’t keep relying on the short-term economic allure of gold, standing by with lukewarm actions while other sectors of our economy suffer to the detriment of our citizens.”
3. The President should instruct the Minister of Interior to take decisive measures to prevent foreign nationals from overwhelming local communities for gold mining. Furthermore, any foreign individuals involved in Galamsey-related crimes should be prosecuted under Act 995 instead of being deported.
4. Hold local officials accountable: The President should ensure that Municipal and District Chief Executives (MCEs and DCEs) in areas affected by Galamsey activities are dismissed for incompetence and investigated for potential involvement in environmental crimes. This responsibility should also extend to police and National Investigative Bureau commanders in these areas.
5. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) should prioritize transferring police commanders in areas heavily affected by Galamsey. Newly appointed commanders must have well-defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) aimed at implementing measures to combat Galamsey effectively.
“This is no longer just an environmental and criminal issue; it is a fight for economic justice and the survival of our society.”
6. The President should require the Ghana Water Company Limited and the Community Water and Sanitation Agency to publish reports on the levels of heavy metals and chemicals in treated water affected by Galamsey, assuring citizens that these levels meet World Health Organisation standards.
7. Regular water quality monitoring is crucial. Agencies should provide monthly reports on turbidity and other water quality indicators at their treatment intake points to monitor the government’s efforts against Galamsey.
“We refuse to accept a future where water becomes unaffordable because our leaders failed to act against its destruction. We urge all Ghanaians to raise their voices and demand change.”
8. The coalition emphasizes the delays in prosecuting Galamsey offenders and questions why the promised fast-track courts have not been established. Despite the government’s quick setup of Goldbod, nine months have passed with little progress. Urgent steps are needed to establish these courts to combat illegal mining effectively.
9. Empower district police: While acknowledging NAIMOS’s role, the police are the primary agency for combating illegal activities like Galamsey. The coalition urges the government to provide District Police Offices with adequate resources for consistent, on-site enforcement. Additionally, the IGP must tackle persistent corruption within the police force that hinders efforts against illegal mining.
10. The government should take decisive action against those labeled by the President in October 2024 as “Kingpins of Galamsey.” Politically influential figures have mostly escaped accountability, and investigations highlighted by the Attorney General have stalled. It’s high time for prosecutions of Akonta Mining’s directors and other implicated individuals, including local politicians.
The GCAG’s demands present a comprehensive approach tackling the Galamsey crisis, emphasising the importance of swift action, transparency, and involving the community.
These urgent calls for action are particularly important with the government potentially considering a State of Emergency as a last resort.
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