Pressure group, Occupy Ghana, has called on President Akufo-Addo to immediately declare a state of emergency in all mining areas in the country, given the pervasive effect on the environment and the livelihoods of the entire populace.
In a communique dated October 3, 2022, the group noted that it will be sending reminders to the President every Monday until drastic steps are taken to arrest the situation.
Making reference to Article 31(9) of the 1992 constitution, it observed that the uncontrolled scale of illegal mining warrants the declaration of a state of emergency, thus
any situation in which any action is taken or is immediately threatened to be taken by any person or body of persons which –
1. is calculated or likely to deprive the community of the essentials of life; or
2. renders necessary the taking of measures which are required for securing the public safety, the defence of Ghana and the maintenance of public
It called for immediate action to be taken, “first to stop all unregulated and illegal mining, and then put a process in place to regulate artisanal mining, going forward.”
“In accordance with article 31(1) of the Constitution, these steps would be, first, seeking and obtaining the advice of the Council of State and, second, publishing a Proclamation of the declaration in the Gazette.”
It also urged the recall from vacation of all members of parliament for this purpose, adding that it fully expects parliament to cooperate “considering the gravity of the situation”.
Below is the release from Occupy Ghana:
