The National Democratic Congress (NDC) does not support calls for a state of emergency to tackle illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, according to its National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi.
Speaking in an interview with Joy FM, Mr Gyamfi stressed that the party has never backed such a move, even when in opposition.
“We don’t support a state of emergency because even in opposition, we never made that call. I was National Communication Officer of the NDC, and I still am; I never made that call,” he stated.
He explained that only a few individuals can speak officially for the party, including the flagbearer, national chairman, general secretary, and communications officer.
“None of us made that call. The party in parliament never made that call. So if you cite some examples of individual NDC members who might have supported a certain call, it doesn’t mean they were speaking for the collective or corporate body called the NDC,” he clarified.
Mr Gyamfi argued that a state of emergency would be unnecessary and ineffective, citing the 2017–2018 small-scale mining ban under President Akufo-Addo as an example of a failed, heavy-handed approach.
“In 2018, Ghana exported more small-scale gold than in 2016, 2015, and 2014 put together, when there was no ban. So the ban never worked. What worked was that those responsible for the ban took advantage of it and rather took over the galamsey business themselves,” he alleged.
He maintained that existing governmental and security structures already have the necessary powers to address the issue if applied effectively.
“The fact that there is still an incidence of wrong is no justification for a state of emergency. The powers we have as a government, the powers the president has, the ministers have, the police have, and the security agencies have are enough, adequate, and sufficient for dealing with the menace of galamsey,” Mr Gyamfi said.