Declare state of emergency on galamsey - GUTA tells government

The Ghana Union of Traders' Associations (GUTA) has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining popularly known as galamsey as soon as possible.

According to GUTA, this will ensure that every resource is given the needed attention and direct the fight for complete eradication of the scourge.

The Association is hopeful that the President would heed to the numerous calls and act decisively to end the menace before his tenure of office ends which would be a great legacy for him.

According to GUTA, as a union of traders in the country with interest in driving economic development and sustainability in Ghana, it deems it a duty as well as a shared responsibility to also ensure that the natural resources of the country arc judiciously used and preserved for future generations to also benefit.

In a statement signed by GUTA President, Dr. Joseph Obeng, the Union lamented how foreign national have taken part in the degradation of farm lands and water bodies through illegal mining.

"From the recent discourse that has taken over the media landscape, it is a very clear indication that enough is enough for "Galamsay" in this country. Although small scale mining has been going on for decades, it is now apparently clear that the country has come to a tipping point. The influx of foreign entities, especially, the Chinese with their heavy machinery have degraded the sector for the worse.

"We are of the strong view that if nothing is done urgently about the situation, the country may not be able to recover from the devastating effect of illegal mining."

KA