President John Dramani Mahama, on the night of Wednesday, September 10, insisted there is no need to declare a state of emergency in the combat against illegal mining for now.

The President made this statement at the first-ever media encounter in his second term in office at the Jubilee House, as he answered questions from journalists.

“I’ve been reluctant to implement a state of emergency in the galamsey fight because we’ve not exhausted the powers we even have without a state of emergency,” he stated.

They stressed that his government, with the full backing of the law, has the opportunity to arrest anyone involved in the menace degrading the country’s forestry and destroying water bodies.

Implementing a state emergency, President Mahama believes, should be the last resort in the fight.

“Implementing a state of emergency might sound nice, but it should be the last resort. So for now, let’s exercise all the powers we have — and if it becomes necessary for a state of emergency, then we look at it,” he added.