The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has cautioned against calls for a state of emergency in the fight against illegal mining, warning that such a move could jeopardize Ghana’s democracy.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face program on Tuesday, August 26, Mr. Nketiah acknowledged that illegal mining remains a major national crisis. However, he argued that suspending constitutional rule in the name of addressing galamsey would create more challenges than solutions.

“Work is being done about the galamsey fight, and we hope to be able to find solutions to it. But I don’t subscribe to the declaration of a state of emergency as other people are suggesting. In your frustration, you can call for certain measures that, when we begin implementing, you may live to regret,” he cautioned.

He stressed that many advocates of emergency rule may not fully appreciate its consequences.

“If you intend 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. How will you be sure that those who are shooting and killing are the ones fighting galamsey? That is another matter,” he argued.

Mr. Nketiah urged the public and policymakers to focus on constructive and sustainable solutions. He maintained that the fight against illegal mining must be anchored in the rule of law and consensus-driven reforms rather than extraordinary measures that could weaken Ghana’s democratic foundations.

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