A policy analyst and senior lecturer at the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, Dr Joshua Zaato, has criticised the government for its reluctance to declare a state of emergency in response to the fight against illegal mining, otherwise known as galamsey.

Speaking on TV3 on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, he questioned the government's urgency in addressing the menace.

"What prevents President Mahama from declaring a state of emergency this morning, this afternoon, this evening? It is an existential threat, it is that bad, it is destroying our water bodies.

"The former president and the former government have paid their prices. And in political sense, they've paid the ultimate price," he stated.

Dr Zaato further criticised the government for introducing water guards to safeguard water bodies, instead of taking decisive actions against illegal mining.

"Instead of a state of emergency, we are told we have been given water guards. Water guards, river guards. In fact, I will choose 'mami water' over these river guards," he stated.

The government of John Dramani Mahama has launched the Blue Water Initiative that aims at restoring the environment and polluted water bodies.

At the heart of the Blue Water Initiative is the deployment of 2,000 trained river guards who will patrol and protect water bodies from illegal miners who operate in river bodies.

JKB/AE

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