Francis Badu Melo, Deputy Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in the Kpone Katamanso constituency and a communicator for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has called for a measured, evidence-based approach to proposals for declaring a state of emergency over illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking on Nkosuo Nsem, Mr. Melo said that while the Ghana National Association of Teachers’ (GNAT) call for the government to declare a state of emergency in response to the galamsey menace is commendable, such a move must be supported by clear data.
“Declaring a state of emergency cannot be done by mere pronouncement. We need accurate figures on the number of people affected and those involved in illegal mining before such a decision is made,” he stressed.
Mr. Melo further argued that government efforts should focus on providing alternative employment opportunities to those engaged in galamsey before resorting to drastic measures. He emphasized that illegal mining is already prohibited by law, and the immediate priority should be strict enforcement.
“Illegal mining is already illegal. We must enforce the law and at the same time create jobs to address the root causes,” he said.
By: Kadan Daniel(Blutut Africa)
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