Ministry spokesperson cautions against viewing state of emergency as automatic solution to galamsey
Paa Kwesi Schandorf, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, stated that declaring a state of emergency is not an automatic solution to Ghana's illegal mining crisis, known as galamsey. Speaking on Channel One TV, Schandorf emphasized that while such a measure could impose restrictions and increase security, it would not resolve the underlying causes of the problem on its own. He cautioned against consistently projecting a state of emergency as a "magic wand" that would automatically transform the situation. Schandorf noted that some restrictions and security measures associated with a state of emergency are already being pursued through the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat NAIMOS. He clarified that he was not equating the two but stressed the need for careful assessment of practical implications. According to Schandorf, President John Dramani Mahama has maintained that any decision to declare a state of emergency would be guided by security assessments and taken only when necessary. Based on current interventions, Schandorf indicated there is no immediate need for such a declaration, suggesting the focus should be on what additional results a state of emergency would deliver beyond existing measures.
