Galamsy, clandestine gold mining, is still Ghana's most acute environmental and economic challenge. Rivers are polluted, agricultural lands are devastated, and villagers are forced to flee, yet always the solutions are politically fraught. Former President John Dramani Mahama recently outlined why he had hesitated to impose a state of emergency to tackle galamsey. His reasoning not only explains government but also the high-wire act of law, politics, and human rights. This remarks have reopened national debate on whether Ghana requires tougher, more drastic measures to close the illegal mining chapter forever.
There are several reasons why Mahama opposes a state of emergency.
Mahama's argument calls for constitutional obligation and social effect. Declaring a state of emergency, he contended, could curtail civil liberties, force people out of their homes, and even politicize the anti-galamsey campaign. Rather than do more with the military, he advocated for a well-ordered, rule-based approach made possible by technology, civic engagement, and sustainable means of livelihood.
This role highlights the beauty of the challenge: in spite of the yearning for immediate gratification in Ghanaians, fervent authoritarian crackdowns may bring unforeseen damage in the way of human rights violations and political backlash.
The Human Cost of Galamsey
Galamsey ruined rivers such as Pra and Ankobra, transforming hitherto pure water bodies into poisonous traps. Aside from the environment, the operation impacts:
• Farmers, who lose arable land.
• The inhabitants of the communities, who are compelled to purchase pricey treated water.
• Future generations, whose natural resources are lost.
Mahama's hesitation is a reflection of the notion that long-term answers have to benefit both people and nature. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) believes that sustainable mining policies will have to balance ecological preservation and economic benefit to the community.
Balancing Politics and Policy
Mahama's words also refer to the politicized aspect of galamsey enforcement. A call for a state of emergency would be seen as politically motivated or selective, particularly in an election buildup. His strategy demonstrates that structural policy reform and institutions are more compelling than exploitative short-term measures.
These are among conclusions made by global governance studies, such as Harvard Kennedy School, and emphasize that sustainable policy change must be based on institutional trust and local community engagement.
Public Complaints and the Cry for Action
Mahama takes his time, but there are thousands of seething Ghanaians who are clamoring for the acceleration. Civil society is contending that the extent of environmental destruction already presents reason enough to cry for emergency action. For ordinary citizens relying on clean water and agriculture, the case becomes less about politics and more about survival and accountability.
The dilemma, then, is balancing accelerating enforcement with sustainable governance.
John Mahama's explanation of why he has been reluctant to declare a state of emergency in the fight against galamsey is an expression of the delicate balance between emergency, the law, and human rights. As much as harsher action is called for by many, his call for orderly, policy-based reforms gives a vision for the future.
The real challenge is: can Ghana stem illegal mining with firmness without undermining democracy and social justice?