The Administrator of Stool Lands, Gad Asorwoe Akwensivie, has raised concerns about the push for a state of emergency as a remedy for illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
According to him, such a move can never put an end to illegal mining.
“Declaring a state of emergency won’t remove illegal mining permanently. It won’t address the negative impact, such as the destruction of our rivers and forests,” Akwensivie stated.
During a discussion with journalists at the Valuation and Estate Surveyors Annual Conference in Akosombo, Eastern Region, Akwensivie maintained that the nation should prioritise ongoing public education, particularly in mining communities, rather than leaning on emergency powers.
He highlighted the importance of involving chiefs, traditional leaders, landowners, and local citizens in educating them about responsible mining practices, while also noting the necessity for law enforcement to adhere to established mining regulations.
According to the Administrator, declaring a state of emergency could bear significant negative consequences, especially for the business landscape and trading activities.
“For example, it will affect the mobilisation of stool land revenue by my officers due to restrictions on the free movement of people,” he elaborated.
Akwensivie cautioned that a state of emergency might unfairly impact vulnerable and marginalised groups, thereby compromising economic stability.
“A state of emergency is a short-term proposal that won’t address the root cause of the problem,” he further asserted.
As a human rights lawyer, he expressed concerns that such emergency measures could unjustly limit civil liberties and potentially lead to overreach and misuse of power by security forces.
“We’ve seen what happens in other places. Vague provisions in emergency laws can be exploited, opening the door to actions by law enforcement that may be difficult to justify and prone to abuse,” he pointed out.
In addition to educational initiatives, the Administrator urged the recruitment and deployment of more “blue water guards” to inform residents in mining areas about responsible mining practices.
