Dormaahene rejects calls for State of Emergency over galamsey

Newly sworn-in Court of Appeal Judge and Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, has dismissed calls for a state of emergency to be declared over illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

He said such a drastic measure was unnecessary.

Speaking to journalists after the swearing-in of new judges by President John Dramani Mahama, Justice Agyeman Badu II argued that Ghana must instead focus on responsible mining and stronger enforcement.

“No, no, it has not come to that. Let us look at how much Ghana gains in terms of galamsey. Once you declare a state of emergency, you ask yourself who can do what. If we’re not able to get those resources, there will be a gap.

Nobody will argue that there shouldn’t be mining, but it should be done responsibly. That will solve the whole thing. People who are doing galamsey we’re destroying ourselves; there’s a need to stop galamsey,” he said.

The Dormaahene stressed the need for traditional leaders to take an active role in the fight, urging chiefs to use their authority within their jurisdictions to help curb the menace.

He also cautioned illegal miners that they were destroying both the environment and themselves, warning that enforcement must be strict and offenders punished.

“I want to appeal to the chiefs, we the chiefs, we shouldn’t say we don’t have the power. If somebody is not allowing people to do galamsey, why can’t you do it? In Dormaa, if you come there, I will arrest you and give you to the police so that you will be prosecuted.

They should ensure that the people do not engage in galamsey, because if you do it and you are arrested, you know the consequences already,” he said.