Ghana’s former Roads and Highways Minister, Inusah Fuseini, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to declare an immediate state of emergency over Ghana’s deteriorating forests and water bodies, warning that continued inaction in tackling illegal mining could have far-reaching consequences for his administration.
Speaking on Joy News’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, April 26, 2025, Fuseini emphasised that environmental degradation from illegal small-scale mining, also known as galamsey, poses a grave threat to public health and future generations. He argued that a state of emergency would empower the government to suspend all existing mining rights—both legal and illegal—to allow for urgent intervention.
“When you declare a state of emergency, you freeze all rights. So the accrued rights are frozen, and then you can go into the forest to deal with the people who are there,” he explained. “We need to protect the environment.”
Fuseini warned that any hesitation could prove politically costly. He noted that illegal mining could become a defining issue for the Mahama government, potentially eroding public confidence if not addressed decisively.
“If there’s anything that will affect us as a government, more in this term of John Dramani Mahama, it will be our ability or inability to fight illegal small-scale mining,” he stated.
He recalled the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s campaign promise to declare a state of emergency and repeal Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which controversially permits mining in forest reserves. Calling it a matter of “moral integrity,” he welcomed recent efforts to begin the repeal process and urged the government to act swiftly.
Beyond the political stakes, Fuseini highlighted the dire health consequences of polluted rivers, including rising cases of kidney disease and birth defects. He warned that if current trends continue, Ghana could soon face a major health crisis, exacerbated by the strain on hospitals and limited clean water supplies.
Drawing comparisons with global examples of environmental collapse, Fuseini warned that Ghana’s rich landscapes risk being transformed into barren deserts if natural resources are not preserved. He invoked the principle of intergenerational equity, stressing the duty to protect forests and rivers not just for current citizens but also for future generations.
A long-time environmental advocate, Fuseini recalled taking part in past protests organised by the Catholic Church and civil society groups calling for emergency action. He added that with bold leadership from the presidency, such demonstrations might no longer be necessary.
“The demonstration may not become necessary anymore,” he said, urging President Mahama to honour his government’s pledges and act before the situation worsens.
