Galamsey Fight: No Need to Declare State of Emergency- Mustapha Gbande

Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency, Mustapha Gbande, has indicated that there is no need for the government to declare a state of emergency over illegal mining activities across the country.

According to him, the government has come so far in the fight against illegal mining that it does not need to take such a big step.

He believes such a decision will affect the cedi’s stability which is largely hinged on gold exports.

“We shouldn’t be so quick to call for a state of emergency. This is not something you simply impose. Look at the situation today, forest reserves have effectively become no-go areas. We have witnessed calculated, precise military operations targeting these hotspots. The evidence is clear: many of these forest reserves are being reclaimed,” he explained in an interview on JoyNews.

“We are making sure that the responsible institutions are not only functioning but operating more effectively than ever before. Would you say we are doing nothing? Should we suddenly declare a state of emergency now, when the cedi is stabilising and the economy is showing signs of revival largely thanks to gold regulations?”

The Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) also reiterated the determination of the government to phase out the menace.

“As far as I’m concerned, I have already spoken about the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources’ dedication and contribution. For the first time, I have also highlighted the unprecedented resolve of the Minister for the Interior, under whose watch offenders are being extradited and arrested.”

“The government has made it absolutely clear that anyone involved in illegal mining will face the full force of the law. It is therefore incumbent upon all of us to expose those, both within and outside government, who have engaged in or supported illegal mining.”

Source: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/