The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey has urged President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency to combat illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey.”
This follows the ruling by the Enchi District Court which granted bail to individuals arrested for mining in Boin Forest Reserve and also directed the Forestry Commission to release confiscated machines including two excavators to the culprits.
The coalition in a statement sighted by Citi News on Tuesday April 1 emphasised the need for decisive action to address the environmental devastation caused by these activities.
The coalition called for the immediate destruction of seized excavators and the establishment of 24-hour fast-track courts to expedite legal proceedings against offenders.
They highlighted the urgency of the situation, quoting former Lands Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor, who described the crisis as an “ecocide” requiring “wartime measures.”
“This ruling should galvanise calls for His Excellency President Mahama to declare a state of emergency, granting powers to destroy seized excavators and establish 24-hour fast-track courts to deal with these cases expeditiously.
“As the former Lands Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor warned, ‘This ecocide demands wartime measures. We cannot let legal loopholes cripple our future,’” it stated.
Read the full statement by the coalition here
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