Paa Kwesi Schandorf, Media Relations Officer of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has assured of the declaration of a state of emergency if there be need for it.

His comments follow calls by members of the ‘Fix the Country’ movement for President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency on the ‘worsening’ state of Ghana’s water bodies due to illegal mining (galamsey).

“The results are not perfect, but they are commendable. We want to proceed on that path. When we get to a point where we feel it is necessary to declare a state of emergency, we will communicate that accordingly,” he said to Channel One TV.

Activists held a vigil to demand stronger government action against galamsey on the night of Sunday, September 21, which has caused significant environmental damage in Ghana.