A lawyer, Kwame Boafo Akuffo, has called for an Act of Parliament that would authorise the use of lethal force against illegal miners operating in Ghana’s forests and water bodies.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, April 25, he argued that illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, has escalated to a national security and public health emergency. He called for “a drastic measure and not a charitable and Presbyterian approach.”
Mr Akuffo further proposed the deployment of surveillance drones to monitor mining areas on a daily basis, with stringent enforcement measures applied against offenders who refuse to heed warnings to stop their illegal operations.
“Let us pass an Act of Parliament, a drone policy, which eliminates galamseyers on the spot because they are threatening lives,” he said.
He justified his position by referencing existing legal provisions that allow the use of force in situations where lives are under threat or where suspects resist lawful arrest.
The lawyer linked illegal mining activities to severe environmental degradation and public health risks, particularly the pollution of water bodies, which he said endangers communities and the lives of innocent citizens.
He noted that repeated enforcement efforts have failed to curb the menace, stressing that a more drastic state response is now required to bring the practice under control.