The Managing Director of Ghana Water Limited (GWL), Adam Mutawakilu, has downplayed suggestions for the declaration of a State of Emergency to tackle illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, insisting that such a measure would not provide a lasting remedy to the problem.
Addressing a press briefing in Accra on Monday, October 20, Mr. Mutawakilu underscored the need for more sustainable and practical strategies to curb the environmental devastation and water contamination caused by illegal mining.
“First and foremost, I don’t think a State of Emergency will stop illegal mining. If you declare a State of Emergency in one area, you must move to another. At the end of the day, the whole of Ghana will be in a State of Emergency,” he emphasized.
He explained that although a State of Emergency might produce short-term gains, it would not secure long-term success in the fight against galamsey.
“What measures can we put in place for it to be sustained? Is the State of Emergency going to be there forever? Won’t the people go back when lifted? We can’t have a State of Emergency forever. There must be pragmatic measures to sustain it permanently,” he stated.
His remarks come at a time when civil society organisations are renewing calls on government to adopt tougher actions, including the declaration of a State of Emergency, to safeguard the nation’s water resources and restore degraded environments.
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