The Administrator of Stool Lands, Gad Asorwoe Akwensivie, has cautioned against declaring a state of emergency as a solution to illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, arguing that such a measure would not provide a lasting solution.
“Declaring a state of emergency won’t remove illegal mining permanently. It won’t address the negative impact such as the destruction of our rivers and forests,” Akwensivie told journalists on Friday, September 26, 2025, at the Valuation and Estate Surveyors Annual Conference in Akosombo, Eastern Region.
Akwensivie advocated for a focus on sustained public education, particularly within mining communities—instead of relying on emergency powers. He stressed the importance of involving chiefs, traditional leaders, landowners, and local citizens in educational initiatives about responsible mining, while ensuring that law enforcement adheres to approved mining regulations.
He warned that imposing a state of emergency could have far-reaching negative effects, especially on the business environment and commercial activities. “For example, it will affect the mobilisation of stool land revenue by my officers due to restrictions on the free movement of people,” Akwensivie explained.
The Administrator also cautioned that such measures could disproportionately harm vulnerable and marginalised groups, destabilising the economy. “A state of emergency is a short-term proposal that won’t address the root cause of the problem,” he added.
As a human rights lawyer, Akwensivie raised concerns that emergency powers could unduly restrict civil liberties and risk abuse by security agencies. “We’ve seen what happens in other places. Vague provisions in emergency laws can be exploited, leading to actions by law enforcement that may be difficult to justify and prone to abuse,” he said.
Beyond education, Akwensivie called for the recruitment and deployment of more ‘blue water guards’ to sensitise mining community residents on responsible mining practices.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
