National Security Council Confident in Galamsey Fight Without State of Emergency – President Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed the government’s confidence in defeating illegal mining (galamsey) without resorting to a state of emergency, citing the National Security Council’s assessment that current strategies remain effective.
Speaking during Civil Society Organizations engagement on illegal mining at the Jubilee House today Friday October 3,2025, President Mahama emphasized the council’s strategic position on the matter.
“The National Security Council believes that we can win the fight against galamsey without a state of emergency,” the President stated firmly. “I want to assure you that the day they advise me otherwise, that boss, now we need a state of emergency, I will not hesitate in declaring a state of emergency, but we do still think that we have the powers to be able to win this fight.”
The President provided historical context to Ghana’s mining heritage, noting that “Mining in Ghana has been historical, and when the first Portuguese arrived in Elmina, one of the first things we sold to them was gold, and that’s why they built a fort in Elmina. Our grandfathers were involved in mining.”
However, he distinguished between traditional methods and current destructive practices, explaining how the legalization of small-scale mining was intended to empower Ghanaian companies but has been exploited by illegal operators using heavy machinery.
The President announced a more robust approach requiring sustained military deployment and increased funding.
“Lessons learned were that in the next wave, with the formation of “NAIMOS”, that we must deploy the military on a sustained basis, rather than when we make some wins, we withdraw them,” he explained. “We need a substantially bigger budget than we have currently to be able to win this war.”
President Mahama expressed optimism about securing adequate resources, stating: “Budget hearings have started. The budget for next year is going to be presented to Parliament, and my expectation is that the Minister of Finance will give a much bigger allocation to this fight against galamsey.”
The President’s personal commitment to environmental preservation was evident in his closing remarks: “We should not hand over poisoned rivers and desecrated forests to our children and our grandchildren, and so we will continue to fight. I’m sure, I believe that we will win the fight against galamsey.”
He emphasized transparency and accountability, declaring: “I don’t gain anything from galamsey. I am not personally involved in galamsey.”
