Dennis Miracles Aboagye, an aide to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has dismissed calls for President John Mahama to declare a state of em
Dennis Miracles Aboagye, an aide to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has dismissed calls for President John Mahama to declare a state of emergency in the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Monday, September 22, 2025, Mr. Aboagye argued that a state of emergency would not necessarily solve the galamsey crisis. Instead, he emphasised the importance of investing in social mindset reorientation alongside strengthened law enforcement to achieve more effective results.
“Again, I keep saying politics is what is causing the problem for us in the fight against galamsey. I have never supported the call for a state of emergency. I didn’t support it when we were in government, and I don’t support it even now because I don’t think that is the solution,” he said.
Mr. Aboagye pointed out that previous interventions, such as the two-year ban on small-scale mining under the former government, had failed to provide a lasting solution. Once the ban was lifted, he noted, the situation worsened, with illegal mining activities resurfacing despite the government’s efforts.
He explained that although the ban led to some improvements, such as cleaner water bodies, the effects were temporary, with galamsey quickly returning once the ban was lifted.
“I never supported the ban on small-scale mining… I didn’t support it then and I won’t support it now and my reason is simple. We implemented the ban on small-scale mining for two years, it worked, we saw the water bodies clearing up. Then when we lifted it, upon all the initiatives the government put in place, we still saw galamsey come back. We can’t go and implement a ban when it has already been done before,” he explained.
He emphasised that the real solution lies in greater community involvement and education.
“Neither do I think a state of emergency may necessarily stop the situation. I think that in addition to all the law enforcement that the government is doing now, which all other governments have been doing, they should simply move in and invest in social mindset reorientation.
“What I saw with my eyes and what I have seen with my eyes today in Dunkwa Offin and Twifo Praso—if we can expose the community to the dire effect and draw their attention to how this thing is destroying their lives, in addition to enforcement, they would help to be able to succeed at it,” he added.
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