International law lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, has strongly disagreed with NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah’s dismissal of calls for a state of emergency in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey).
“Only an irresponsible government will declare a state of emergency and allow people to shoot and kill at random.
“Moreover, we are calling for targeted state of emergency in galamsey-ravaged communities for a temporary time,” Dr. Appiagyei-Atua said, explaining that the Constitution and the Emergency Powers Act, 1994 (Act 472) provide a clear framework for declaring and executing a state of emergency, contrary to Mr. Asiedu Nketiah’s suggestion that such measures could lead to chaos.
The lecturer further pointed to worrying signs of contradictions and inaction within government ranks.
He cited reports of national security operatives clashing with authorized anti-galamsey task forces—incidents he said remain uninvestigated despite public outcry.
He also questioned why promises made earlier in the year have not materialized. On August 14, 2025, Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey assured Ghanaians that President Mahama would lead a “ruthless and relentless campaign” against galamsey.
Similarly, Gold Board Acting CEO Sammy Gyamfi, on April 24, 2025, announced that Legislative Instrument 2462—which sanctions mining in forest reserves—would be revoked once Parliament reconvened. Parliament returned on May 27, but the law is still in force.
Here’s full post as shared on Facebook;
No sir. You’re completely wrong. Declaring a state of emergency is provided for in the Constitution. It sets out clear guidelines for declaring one. And there is legislation (the Emergency Powers Act, 1994 (Act 472), derived from the Constitution, which sets out guidelines on how to declare one and execute it.
Only an irresponsible government will declare a state of emergency and allow people to shoot and kill at random. Moreover, we are calling for targeted state of emergency in galamsey-ravaged communities for a temporary time.
It is under the present regime that we’ve seen national security agents fighting authorised anti-galamsey task forces on assignment. Yet, when the call was made to investigate the matter nothing came out of it.
We’re still waiting to know about the President’s promise, spilled out through the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, that “President Mahama is going to lead a very ruthless and relentless campaign against Galamsey. He has not minced words at all.” That was on 14 August 2025.
We’re still waiting.
Let us also recall what the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, said on 24 April 2025: “Legislative Instrument (L.I) 2462, which currently sanctions mining activities within forest reserves, will be revoked as soon as Parliament reconvenes.”
Parliament reconvened 27 May 2025. We’re still waiting.
On 7 April 2025, the Dr Murtala Mohammed of blessed memory (may his soul rest in peace) stated: “State of emergency declaration should be done as a result of security briefing and advice you get. President John Dramani Mahama has actually engaged those clothed with the capacity security-wise, to advise him on these issues.”
We’re still waiting to hear from the President.
Or maybe Mr Asiedu Nketiah is reporting on the outcome of the security briefing?
