Former Tamale Central MP Inusah Fuseini has called on President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining in water bodies and forest reserves, citing the escalating environmental damage and risks to public health and future generations as reasons for urgent action.
Declaring a state of emergency, Alhaji Fuseini said, would enable the government to freeze existing licenses and reclaim affected areas. He warned that delay could have severe repercussions for the Mahama administration, making the government’s response to galamsey a defining issue of its tenure.
Alhaji Fuseini stressed the need for the government to fulfill its promises, including repealing Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which allows mining in forest reserves. He linked polluted rivers to increased kidney disease and birth defects, warning of a potential health crisis if action is not taken.
The former MP urged Ghanaians to protect forests and rivers for present and future generations, invoking the principle of intergenerational equity. He suggested swift presidential action could prevent further demonstrations.
