Declare state of emergency in mining areas – OccupyGhana to Prez Akufo-Addo

Pressure group, OccupyGhana is calling on President Akufo-Addo to  as matter of urgency declare a state of emergency in all mining areas in the country.

According to the group, this will aid the President and his government to streamline mining activities in the country.

In a press release issued on Monday, October 3, OccupyGhana, asked President Akufo-Addo to seek advice from the Council of State before publishing a Gazette on same.

“We risk losing our very essence as a nation unless immediate and radical action is taken, first to STOP all unregulated and illegal mining, and then put a process in place to REGULATE artisanal mining, going forward.

“We, therefore, request that you take immediate steps towards declaring a state of emergency in every mining area in Ghana.

“In accordance with article 31(1) of the Constitution, these steps would be, first, seeking and obtaining the advice of the Council of State and, second, publishing a Proclamation of the declaration in the Gazette,” the group urged.

The pressure group also wants Parliament to be recalled from its recess for it to pass the state of emergency.

“Thereafter we expect Parliament to be recalled from its vacation, for the government to place before it the facts and circumstances leading to the declaration of the state of emergency under article 31(2).

“Considering the gravity of the situation, we fully expect Parliament to agree with the government and provide that, the state of emergency should remain for such period as Parliament may determine so that the government can get a grasp of the situation,” the release added.