Stool Lands Administrator, Gad Asorwoe Akwensivie, has warned that declaring a state of emergency would not provide a sustainable solution to illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, September 26, 2025, during the Valuation and Estate Surveyors Annual Conference in Akosombo, Eastern Region, Mr. Akwensivie emphasized that long-term public education within mining communities is more effective than emergency powers.

He highlighted the need to engage chiefs, traditional leaders, landowners, and local residents on responsible mining practices, while ensuring that law enforcement strictly applies approved mining regulations.

“Declaring a state of emergency won’t remove illegal mining permanently. It won’t address the destruction of our rivers and forests,” Mr. Akwensivie said.

He added that emergency measures could disrupt business and revenue collection. “For example, it will affect the collection of stool land revenue by my officers due to restrictions on free movement,” he explained.

The Administrator also cautioned that such measures could disproportionately impact vulnerable groups, destabilize the economy, and risk abuse of power by security agencies. “As a human rights lawyer, I must emphasise that vague emergency provisions can easily be exploited, leading to actions that may be unjustified and prone to abuse,” he noted.

Instead, Mr. Akwensivie advocated for the recruitment and deployment of more “blue water guards” to educate mining communities on sustainable practices, arguing that a combination of education and enforcement—not emergency rule—remains the most effective approach.