The National Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency to combat the escalating violence linked to illegal small-scale mining, known as galamsey.
In a statement issued on Monday, November 10, and addressed to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, the NPP expressed alarm over recent attacks on state officials, including the violent assault on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) CEO Prof. Nana Ama Klutse and her team.
The statement, signed by National Youth Organiser Salam Mustapha, described the incidents as a “growing danger” that demands immediate action, highlighting the “bold audacity and impunity” of galamsey operators.
It referenced last week’s assault on Prof. Klutse and her team, comprising military and national security personnel, who were reportedly dressed in CID vests during an operation at Dadwene near Obuasi in the Ashanti Region on November 6, 2025.
The attack left several injured, including four journalists from Citi FM/Channel One TV, Multimedia Group Limited, and Media General, as well as two EPA officials, after their vehicle collided with a truck while fleeing armed miners.
The NPP also condemned a separate incident at Hwidiem, where the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) boss and his team were attacked, forcing them to flee.
“Mr. President, if you have ever needed a definite reason to declare a state of emergency to quell the growing danger, then you have it now. There has never been such a bold audacity shown by these galamseyers as this particular action. The fact that these guys are more heavily armed with better weapons than the security services is even more worrying,” the statement read.
The party criticised the National Security Secretariat for allegedly directing Prof. Klutse’s team to flee rather than neutralising the threat, noting that it stresses the need for a radical response to the galamsey menace.
“Furthermore, the national security secretariat, which should mobilise and neutralise these guys, was rather directing the EPA boss and her team to flee. Mr. President, they ran with their tails between their legs and sadly were involved in a ghastly accident,” the NPP said.
The party noted that the country recently lost eight gallant men to similar threats and that the matter not be treated as “business as usual” and swept under the carpet.
Furthermore, the NPP demanded the dismissal of all Municipal, Metropolitan, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in areas where galamsey persists, accusing some of approving orders that led to attacks on the NAIMOS team empowered to fight the menace.
“The threat to national security cannot be overemphasised; this is how guerrilla wars begin, with many examples around the world, such as the armed groups around the Rivers state in Nigeria, which is oil-related. Therefore, this matter cannot be swept under the carpet and treated as business as usual. The consequences are too dire.
“Furthermore, Mr. President, fire all MMDCEs in areas where galamsey is ongoing. Either they have failed or they are tacitly involved and have approval from top echelons. H.E. John Dramani Mahama, your MP for Asutifi North disrespected your orders and led a group of thugs to attack the NAIMOS team that you have empowered to fight the menace. Luckily, the story would not have been a gory one, with all the videos from the incidents. Your authority is challenged, and the world waits to see your response,” the statement added.