President of the KNUST chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG),  Prof. Eric Abavare, has called for a temporary nationwide ban on small-scale mining to enable government and stakeholders to reassess the country’s fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, November 8, Prof. Abavare described the galamsey situation as a national emergency that requires a decisive and transparent approach, arguing that a short-term suspension of small-scale mining activities for three weeks or one month would provide the needed space for a full audit of ongoing operations, policy implementation, and enforcement mechanisms.

“What is before us is serious, and for a war like this, we must be resolute. We have the power in our hands. We are asking for a temporary ban for three weeks or one month to reassess the situation so everyone will know where we stand. But when leadership keeps shielding and preventing such action, it creates an impression that something is being hidden,”he said.

Prof. Abavare noted that the continuous degradation of the environment, particularly the destruction of river bodies and forest reserves, shows that current interventions have not been effective. He stressed that the temporary ban would not only allow for a review of the fight against galamsey but also help identify those behind the illicit operations.

He added that such an approach would boost public confidence in the state’s commitment to ending the menace and eliminate perceptions of political interference in the enforcement process.

Adding his voice to the discussion, Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, also emphasised the need for a bipartisan and collective approach in addressing the galamsey crisis. He said the fight must transcend political divisions since its impact affects all Ghanaians equally.