GJA President underscores need for Akufo-Addo to declare state of emergency on galamsey

“Mr. President, you have barely three months until the end of your administration and we are hopeful that you will deal with the situation before you leave office.”

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour did not mince words in urging President Akufo-Addo to declare a state of emergency in order to deal with illegal mining.

The government has come under severe criticism over its inability to deal with the illegal mining menace (galamsey), which has devastated large swaths of forest cover and has left water bodies heavily polluted.

Labour unions, civil society organizations, environmental activists, professional bodies, the Minority Caucus in Parliament, and the media have all called for more bold and radical measures to end the illegal mining menace.

Already, the Ghana Water Company has warned it cannot guarantee water in parts of the country if “galamsey” is not checked.

Despite these calls, little to nothing has been done.

Speaking at the 28th Ghana Journalists Association Award celebration, Mr Dwumfour criticized the loud silence of President Akufo-Addo over the situation.

“Mr. President, the father of the nation made a firm vow to stop galamsey, but regrettably that promise has not been fulfilled. We still maintain that a state of emergency must be declared over our water bodies and all planned and active mining concessions overlapping with river buffers should be relegated and all mining activities within 100 meters buffer of all rivers and streams should be halted with immediate effect. We also reiterate that LI2462 should be repealed immediately.”

The GJA President also called on the government, the Judicial Service, and the Ghana Police Service to take steps to release protesters who were arrested during the Democracy Hub protests.

“We note some excesses and provocations that occurred during the demonstration and the GJA condemned these assesses in no uncertain terms. However, we also believe that remanding these protesters for two weeks it’s too extreme and does not send positive signals when it comes to protecting human rights. Our constitution mandates us to protect the human rights of citizens in this country and as the president, I will lead that charge. As a result, we add our voice to calls on the government, police and the judiciary to take steps to release the protesters immediately.”

Despite Ghana’s lower rank in press freedom, President Akufo-Addo says his government remains committed to ensuring media freedom.

“Media freedom is not a privilege, but a right enshrined in our constitution and it must be jealously guarded. I remain deeply committed to ensuring that the media in Ghana remains free, vibrant and independent.”

The 28th Ghana Journalists Association awards celebrated the hard work, resilience and professionalism of journalists in Ghana. it was under the theme, ““75 years of excellence in journalism: The role of the media in democratic governance and elections.”

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By Frederick Kunzote-Ani

The post GJA President underscores need for Akufo-Addo to declare state of emergency on galamsey first appeared on 3News.

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