Founder and CEO of the MILLS Institute, Koku Anyidoho, has called for the immediate declaration of a state of emergency over the destruction caused by illegal mining activities in the country.

According to him, the only approach left in addressing and tackling the illegal mining activities is the activation of Article 31 of the 1992 Constitution, which outlines the emergency powers of the president.

Anyidoho expressed the view that illegal miners have taken the country under siege, describing the situation as not being ‘normal times,’ with their activities causing destruction to water bodies and forest reserves.

He, therefore, called for a government declaration of a state of emergency.

“If this is true, and I respect the news source, then it tells us that having failed in using all available means, the only thing left is a State of Emergency. There is a good reason why the framers of the constitution put in Article 31, which allows the nation to activate the State of Emergency clause when we are under siege and not in normal times.

“This galamsey ecocide has moved us into very heightened. frightening, abnormal times and so let us activate Article 31 immediately,” he posted on X on Friday, October 3, 2025.

Anyidoho’s call was in reaction to allegations made by Afia Korankyewaa Anokye, a member of Alan Kyerematen’s Movement for Change communication team, that some members of the state’s Blue Water Guard Taskforce, mandated to fight illegal mining, are being impregnated by the miners, popularly known as galamseyers.

According to her, while speaking on UTV’s Adekye Nsroma on October 2, 2025, some female officers of the taskforce are being influenced with money by galamsey operators to enter into relationships with them, thereby compromising the fight against illegal mining.

“The Blue Water Guard taskforce, which has been charged to fight illegal mining on the rivers, are being impregnated by the galamsey guys. They are getting pregnant… the guys have a lot of money and they are influencing them with money to have relationships with them.

“I am in Kumasi and there are so many galamsey sites there. They call and tell me… so, I will plead with Mahama to check because the galamseyers are influencing the girls,” she alleged.

If this is true, and I respect the news source, then it tells us that, having failed in using all available means; the ONLY thing left is a, State Of Emergency.

There is a good reason why the framers of the constitution put in Article 31, which allows the nation to activate… pic.twitter.com/EuHPN8JxXV

— Samuel Koku Anyidoho🇬🇭 (@KokuAnyidoho) October 3, 2025