Former Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, has urged the government to honour its campaign commitment by declaring a state of emergency to address illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

This follows the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry's announcement of plans to deploy military and security forces to key river bodies, marking a significant escalation in the fight against this environmental menace.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, September 25, he argued that the recent announcement to designate water bodies and forest reserves as security zones will not significantly alter the status quo since it is nothing new.

According to him, the NDC government must fulfill its commitment to Ghanaians by invoking a state of emergency, which it touted as the most effective tool to fight the menace.

“This government made a clear commitment to Ghanaians. It was part of their social contract that the most effective way to fight galamsey is through a state of emergency. That is what people are calling on them to do,” he said.

"The most important thing is that this government [while in opposition] believed that the state of emergency is the best tool to deal with illegal small-scale mining, and they have the opportunity, and that's why people are saying, follow through with your commitment of declaring sa tate of emergency to deal with illegal small-scale mining."

Mr Abdulai Jinapor dismissed comparisons with former President Akufo-Addo, noting that while Akufo-Addo resisted pressure to declare a state of emergency, he had never promised to do so.

He further questioned the practical implications of the new security zone policy. “What will this declaration mean in real terms? What are its legal ramifications and enforcement measures? Without clarity, it risks being another symbolic gesture.”