The Centre for Democratic Movement (CDM) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency over the deepening crises of ille
The Centre for Democratic Movement (CDM) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency over the deepening crises of illegal mining and rising insecurity, warning that the country is edging toward an unsustainable path.
In a strongly worded statement, the CDM said Ghana is facing a dual threat—the unchecked devastation of illegal mining (galamsey) and violent conflicts in northern communities—that is eroding the foundations of national security, environmental sustainability, and democratic stability.
Citizens Turn Refugees As Insecurity Escalates
The group expressed alarm over the deteriorating security situation in the Bawku enclave of the Upper East Region, as well as parts of the Oti and Northern Regions, where violent clashes have displaced families.
For the first time in the history, some citizens have crossed into Togo and Burkina Faso to seek refuge from violence.
“This is a national tragedy,” the CDM noted, describing it as a stark reversal of Ghana’s traditional role as a safe haven in West Africa. The organisation argued that the inability of the state to secure its borders, resolve violent conflict, and protect its citizens constitutes a serious breach of the government’s constitutional duty.
Illegal Mining Threatens
The CDM also drew attention to the environmental devastation caused by galamsey, which continues to destroy rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Offin, while leaving once fertile farmlands barren.
Farmers and fisherfolk, the statement said, are losing their livelihoods as polluted water and degraded soil collapse rural economies.
Despite successive governments pledging to eradicate galamsey, the practice persists—often shielded by political patronage and elite complicity.
The CDM described government inaction as “a failure to decisively and impartially enforce environmental laws,” and insisted that the scale of destruction warrants an immediate declaration of a state of emergency.
Mahama’s Changed Position Under Scrutiny
The group singled out President Mahama for criticism, pointing to what it described as a sharp shift in his stance on galamsey.
While in opposition, Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) repeatedly called for a national state of emergency to confront illegal mining and pledged to repeal Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462, which allows mining in forest reserves.
However, since assuming office, Mahama has argued that declaring a state of emergency should be a last resort, stating, “I have been reluctant to implement a state of emergency in the galamsey fight because we have not exhausted the powers available to us without such a declaration.”
The CDM said this reversal raises “serious questions of moral consistency, ethical leadership, and whether political convenience has overtaken his duty to protect citizens and the environment.”
Politics of Inconsistency
The organisation also recalled how NDC leaders, including John Mahama, once criticized the previous administration’s handling of galamsey. Yet under the current government, the problem has worsened.
“This exposes a chronic problem in Ghanaian politics: ethical inconsistency and opportunism, where principles are loudly proclaimed in opposition but quietly abandoned in power,” the statement said.
Demands for Accountability
The CDM outlined a series of steps for urgent action, urging:
Parliament to demand accountability from the Executive over failures on galamsey and insecurity.
The Judiciary to ensure prosecutions of offenders are free from political interference.
Civil society and the media to intensify their watchdog roles in exposing negligence and corruption.
Traditional and faith-based leaders to raise their voices in demanding sustainable governance and peaceful coexistence.
‘Lives And Environment Matter’
The CDM reminded the government that the health of citizens and the protection of the environment form the bedrock of national prosperity.
“If rivers die, farms collapse, and communities are displaced by violence, no amount of rhetoric or political maneuvering can salvage the future of this country,” the group warned.
Conclusion
Stating that “the time for excuses has long passed,” the CDM urged the Mahama administration to act decisively to safeguard both lives and the environment.
“The current trajectory is unsustainable. Ghana’s leaders must rise above partisan interests and fulfill their constitutional duty. The government must act now—not only to restore order and protect lives, but also to secure the environment upon which our shared future depends.”
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