Gideon Tettey Tetteh, a lawyer and the Regional Director for Conflict Resolution of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has stated that his party would have declared a state of emergency to tackle illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, if they were in power.

Speaking on the Prime Morning show on Joy Prime, Lawyer Tetteh highlighted the severity of the galamsey crisis, calling it a national emergency that requires decisive action.

According to him, the environmental destruction caused by galamsey is a threat to the nation's future, and the current government's response has been inadequate.

He argued that only a state of emergency would allow for the necessary measures to be taken to address the issue effectively and protect Ghana's natural resources, particularly its water bodies and forests, from irreversible damage.

“The galamsey menace is not just an environmental issue, it is an existential crisis that threatens our water supply, our farmlands, and the health of our communities. If the NDC were in power, we would have declared a state of emergency to bring this situation under control. The time for half-measures is over; we need bold and comprehensive action," he said.

The lawyer and party official pointed out that declaring a state of emergency would give the government the authority to mobilize all necessary resources and take swift action against those involved in illegal mining.

He emphasised that this includes not only arresting perpetrators but also dismantling the networks of support that allow illegal mining operations to flourish.

He also highlighted the need for greater community involvement in addressing the galamsey issue, arguing that local communities must be empowered to take an active role in protecting their environment.

Tetteh called for increased funding for community-based initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of illegal mining and encouraging sustainable practices.

"The deployment of military forces to galamsey sites is nothing more than a temporary fix. It may disrupt operations for a while, but it does nothing to address the underlying issues. The NDC would have focused on long-term solutions, such as providing alternative livelihoods for those involved in illegal mining and ensuring that enforcement agencies are free from corruption," Tetteh stated.

He also pointed out the need for greater community involvement in addressing the galamsey issue, arguing that local communities must be empowered to take an active role in protecting their environment. Tetteh called for increased funding for community-based initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of illegal mining and encouraging sustainable practices.

As the debate over how best to address the galamsey crisis continues, many Ghanaians are growing increasingly frustrated with what they perceive as a lack of effective leadership on the issue. With rivers polluted, farmlands destroyed, and communities at risk, the call for decisive action is growing louder and larger by the day.