Accra: The Dynamic Youth Movement of Ghana (DYMOG) has petitioned the Council of State to fulfil its constitutional role and advise the President to declare a state of emergency over the ongoing illegal mining menace. DYMOG, a Civil Society Organisation against illegal mining, popularly known as Galamsey, stated that the President must act in the interest of Ghanaians, as galamsey had become more than just an environmental issue, posing an existential threat to the citizenry.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Edward Seyram Tuttor, Executive Convenor of DYMOG, addressed a press conference in Accra expressing disappointment in President John Dramani Mahama’s remarks suggesting that he had not received advice from the National Security Council to declare a state of emergency on galamsey. The CSO also called for the immediate dissolution of the National Security Council (NSC), accusing it of failing the nation and misleading the President on the urgent need to address the galamsey menace.
Mr. Tuttor described the President’s position as problematic, arguing that the NSC is not constitutionally mandated to advise the President on such declarations. He emphasized that the 1992 Constitution specifies that such advice must come from the Council of State. Citing Article 31 of the Constitution, Mr. Tuttor explained that the President may declare a state of emergency with the advice of the Council of State, and this proclamation must be published in the gazette.
Mr. Tuttor criticized the composition and performance of the NSC, which is chaired by the President and comprises appointees such as the Ministers of Defence, Finance, and National Security, as well as intelligence heads and the Chief of Defence Staff. He questioned their lack of urgency regarding the issue, citing environmental problems like poisoned rivers, mercury in food, and devastated forests.
The DYMOG accused the Council of failing to gather and provide accurate intelligence on the environmental destruction caused by galamsey, despite their constitutional mandate. Mr. Tuttor stressed that the current environmental conditions meet every constitutional criterion for a state of emergency. Mr. Albert Tetteh, Chief Executive Officer of Verbal Transformers, also supported DYMOG, describing galamsey as a ‘silent emergency’ poisoning Ghana’s future.
Mr. Tetteh urged the President to act swiftly to protect the land, water, and people, criticizing the delay in addressing the menace that continued to destroy water bodies and farmlands. He emphasized the need to preserve and protect the heritage left by forefathers for future generations. The protest, led by DYMOG and supported by civil society groups, demanded urgent and decisive action against illegal mining and accountability.