Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment, Science and Technology, John Darko, has questioned the government’s reluctance to declare a State of Emergency over the worsening effects of illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.

Speaking on Joy Prime's Prime Insight on Saturday, October 4, during a discussion on President John Mahama’s engagement with civil society organisations (CSOs) on galamsey, Mr Darko expressed concern over the rapid deterioration of Ghana’s water bodies.

“The President and his team asked for a state of emergency, and based on that, the people of Ghana voted for him. At the time you were calling for a state of emergency, the water turbidity level was 14,000. Now it’s moved from 14,000 to 90,000 and at this point, you say a state of emergency is not necessary?” he questioned.

He criticised President Mahama for suggesting he was waiting for advice from the National Security Council before acting.

“When the Constitution gives the President the power to declare a state of emergency, you don’t come and say, ‘I’m waiting for National Security to advise.’ The President is not bound by the advice of National Security,” Mr Darko said.

Read also: National Security Council believes we can tackle galamsey without a State of emergency – Mahama

He explained that the Supreme Court had already clarified that such advice was not binding on the President, who ultimately holds the final responsibility.

“In the end, the buck stops with the President. He makes the final call. If, in his opinion, there’s an emergency situation, he can declare a state of emergency before even going to Parliament,” he said.

According to Mr Darko, delaying such action amounts to neglecting presidential duties.

“For the President to say he is waiting for National Security to advise him before he acts, for me, it’s just shifting his duty. He has the ultimate responsibility. He’s the one Ghanaians voted for, and he promised to protect our water bodies,” he said.

Mr Darko also criticised the government for appearing unprepared to deal with the crisis.

“You have been voted for, you brought your manifesto to the people of Ghana, they listened to you and voted for you. Now, you are calling people to come and advise you on how to fight galamsey. So when you were coming, you had no plan? You had no plan for fighting galamsey?” he asked.