The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has reiterated its call for President Nana Akufo-Addo to declare a state of emergency over the illegal mining crisis, commonly known as galamsey.

The Association insists that drastic measures are necessary to curb the destructive impact of galamsey on the country’s environment and water bodies.

At the 28th GJA Awards and 75th-anniversary celebration in Accra, GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour stressed that the ongoing environmental degradation caused by illegal mining warrants urgent action.

He argued that declaring a state of emergency would empower authorities to enforce mining laws more effectively and put a halt to the devastating activities.

Dwumfour pointed out that despite numerous interventions and policies aimed at fighting galamsey, the menace persists, with significant damage to Ghana's natural resources.

He urged the President to act decisively, as the consequences of inaction would be dire for future generations and the country’s ecosystem.

The GJA's call highlights the increasing frustration among stakeholders over the government’s inability to fully address the illegal mining issue.

The association maintains that a state of emergency is the only solution capable of mobilising all necessary resources to combat galamsey and restore the country’s environment.

“We still maintain that a state of emergency must be declared over our water bodies and all planned and active mining concessions overlapping with river buffers should be abrogated and all mining activities within 50 meters buffer of all rivers and streams should be halted with immediate effect. We also reiterate that LI 2462 should be repealed immediately," he insisted.