The Coordinator of Eco Conscious, Awulah Serwah, has vowed that civil society groups will not relent until government declares a state of emergency on illegal mining.

Ms. Serwah said her organisation will join forces with other civil society groups to mount pressure on government to act, insisting that only a state of emergency can address the scale of the crisis.

According to her, "I am certain that the president is going to call a state of emergency because the pressure is not going to stop, civil society organisations is not going to stop because we are going to continue the pressure and take all necessary steps to ensure that the poisoning stops."

She said this on The Pulse on JoyNews on Wednesday.

She warned that opportunities to reverse the destruction caused by galamsey are rapidly fading, stressing the urgent need for decisive action. Adding that, they will explore available means including legal actions to ensure that the state of emergency is declared.

Her remarks add to growing calls for such a declaration, even as President Mahama has argued that existing laws provide sufficient tools to combat the menace.