Deputy Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Kenneth Koomson, has criticised the government's response to illegal mining, also known as 'Galamsey'.

According to him, government seems unaware of the grave threat posed by the canker, also known as galamsey, and added that it has failed to take the necessary actions to reverse what he described as a "genocide."

This follows a recent statement by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, which reiterated its commitment to promoting sustainable and legal mining practices.

• Read also: Government committed to sustainable and legal mining – Lands Ministry insists

Stricter guidelines were also issued to all Regional Ministers and their security councils to strengthen the fight against illegal mining. 

But Mr Koomson called these efforts "unfortunate" and insufficient.

“Government appears not to understand the issues or perhaps they do but fail to take the right decision in order to reverse what has been described as genocidal,” he said.

He urged the government to declare a state of emergency for the country's water bodies, citing Article 31 of the 1992 Constitution, which allows such a declaration in the event of natural disasters or activities that deprive citizens of essential resources.

He warned of severe health consequences if action is not taken, emphasising that the situation threatens the very "essentials of life."

“Are we waiting until we see that there is an avalanche of children being given birth to where they have their nostrils behind their back with legs turned the other way round, their hands at their heads before you say that there is an emergency?

"I think what the wisdom of the framers of the constitution decided in Article 31 (9) – looking at the essentials of life is threatening, calling for the state of emergency is right. We are of the view that there is no appropriate solution than to evoke Article 31,” he stressed.

He added if the government fails to act, the GFL is prepared to organise a series of protests to ensure the protection of Ghanaians.