National Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has cautioned against calls for a declaration of a State of Emergency, arguing that it is not a viable solution to the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
According to him, such a declaration would effectively suspend the Constitution and undermine Ghana’s democratic order.
Speaking in an interview with Channel One TV on August 26, 2025, Mr. Nketia acknowledged the persistent challenges of illegal mining but stressed that more pragmatic approaches were needed rather than resorting to emergency rule.
“I don’t subscribe to the declaration of a state of emergency as some people are suggesting. In your frustration, you can call for certain measures, which, when implemented, you may live to regret. I’m not sure many of those calling for a state of emergency have ever lived under one. If your intention is to deal with galamsey and you declare a state of emergency, it means you have suspended the Constitution. People can shoot and kill at will,” he warned.
While clarifying the NDC’s official position, Mr. Nketia stressed that the party has never endorsed a State of Emergency to tackle galamsey. Instead, he pointed to the need for the government to adopt more effective measures, including repealing Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462.
“You are not aware of any official statement from the NDC supporting a state of emergency,” he said. “But I know we supported the repeal of the L.I., which has not been done yet. I am one of those who believe it must be done, and I will support any effort to have it repealed because it is a clear promise we made.”
Mr. Nketia further emphasized that while the NDC does not condone illegal mining, the government will also not shield any official found culpable.
“When they were named, did you hear any NDC statement defending them? No. I am even proud that, as a government, we had the courage to cite some officials suspected of engaging in wrongdoing and asked them to face the law. That is all we can do; let the law take its course. If the evidence against them is weak, they will come out vindicated,” he stated.
He also urged Ghanaians to propose more practical and sustainable solutions within the confines of the law to address the galamsey menace.
