Don't declare state of emergency in galamsey areas, it won't work - Allotey Jacobs to Akufo-Addo

Former Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Bernard Allotey Jacobs, has advised President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo against declaring a state of emergency in areas affected by illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Various bodies, including the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), have called on the president to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining to save water bodies that have been destroyed by the menace.

Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, a founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has also urged the president to declare a state of emergency to address the illegal mining crisis, citing the devastating impact of galamsey on the environment and public health.

He stressed the need for urgent and decisive government action.

However, during a panel discussion on Peace FM, monitored by GhanaWeb, Allotey Jacobs, who is now a social commentator, disagreed with these calls. He argued that declaring a state of emergency in galamsey-affected areas would not yield any positive results.

"See, if a state of emergency is declared in galamsey areas, it won't work. I want to repeat this—any declaration of a state of emergency in galamsey areas will not work. Galamsey has been deeply entrenched for a long time. Politicians are talking about galamsey because they want favours; they want votes from those working in the galamsey pits across the country," Allotey Jacobs remarked.

He further reflected on how President Akufo-Addo once declared his commitment to fighting galamsey by putting his presidency on the line, but noted that instead of supporting him, the issue became politicized.

During campaign periods, politicians often make promises to allow illegal miners to continue their activities, and this, Allotey Jacobs believes, contributed to the president's defeat in several constituencies during the 2020 elections.

Allotey Jacobs urged the TUC and others who plan to protest against galamsey to direct their actions towards areas most affected by the illegal mining activities.

"You want him [President Akufo-Addo] to declare a state of emergency? President Akufo-Addo, don't do it. When I heard that Organised Labour wanted to go on a demonstration against galamsey, I wondered why. There is no galamsey in Accra, no galamsey pits in Accra," he said.

He emphasized that an effective way to stop galamsey is for protesters to demonstrate in the areas where illegal mining is rampant.

"Go to the galamsey pits and demonstrate to those working there. That will shake the foundations of this country and show that all Ghanaians want galamsey to stop. We shouldn’t wait until it’s two months to elections. Both NPP and NDC members involved in illegal mining will eventually go scot-free. That’s what is happening in this country," he concluded.

KA

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