Galamsey: Declare state of emergency or we’ll do it ourselves – Fix The Country to govt

The Fix The Country Movement has warned that if the government does not act swiftly to stop illegal mining, also known as galamsey, the youth of Ghana will take matters into their own hands and declare a state of emergency.

Speaking on Eyewitness News after a protest at the Revolutionary Square in front of the Jubilee House on September 22, one of the movement’s conveners, George Aggrey, said the government’s response to the crisis has been disappointing.

“If the government says it is not time to declare a state of emergency on the galamsey, to be honest, I think it is not a good statement to make,” Aggrey said.

“I don’t know what extent the government wants it to get to before they see it as a state of emergency. So for me and the teeming youth that joined the protest today, what we are saying is: if the government fails to declare a state of emergency on this issue, then the youth of the land—we will declare a state of emergency.”

The protest, held on Founder’s Day, sought to highlight the urgent need for decisive measures against galamsey, which has devastated forests, rivers, and farmlands across the country.

Protesters carried placards and banners, calling on President John Dramani Mahama to protect Ghana’s environment and honour the legacy of Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

According to the group, galamsey poses a grave threat to food security, access to clean water, and the survival of future generations.