Calls for the government to clamp down on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, continue to intensify across the country.

Among the more controversial proposals from some politicians are the implementation of a “shoot-to-kill” policy and the declaration of a national state of emergency to curb the menace.

However, President John Dramani Mahama has since stated that addressing the issue requires more than simply declaring a state of emergency.

In light of these developments, GhanaWeb TV took to the streets of Accra to gather public opinions on the government's approach to tackling galamsey.

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While some citizens supported the shoot-to-kill proposal and the idea of a state of emergency, others strongly opposed such measures.

They rather advocated for the arrest and prosecution of those involved, the creation of more job opportunities for the youth, and increased education and sensitisation efforts in affected regions.

“The galamsey issue is really a mess, and it's causing a lot of problems in the country because there are some few people who are doing it, but it's affecting the majority of us. So, I think the shooting and killing, if that's what will stop it, I think they should go that way.

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"I don't know whether you know this issue of Delta in Nigeria? It's similar to the galamsey issue. That one deals with oil. They also discovered oil and I think the authorities there didn't pay much attention to it. Now, those illegal miners, or those people illegally mining the oil, are now having ammunition and they are even fighting with the government and even the military.

That’s the same way if you go to this galamsey, that’s what they are doing. Because a whole security team goes there, and then they block them from entering the area, and it's very bad," one of the people said.

Another respondent said, “Shoot to kill? No, shoot to kill — that would be harsh. State of emergency has its ripple effect. Therefore, galamsey is really eating into our individual lives and is costing the nation. You cannot also do it in haste by declaring a state of emergency. What will it take if that is not declared? It is the mentality of the citizens we need to change our mindsets.

"We don't need the government to declare a state of emergency by deploying the military to now come on us. We are all citizens. So, those who are calling for a state of emergency, I don't know the reason they are calling for that, because economically it will have an effect on those around.”

Revoke mining licenses of politically connected galamsey operators - TUC

Watch more responses in the full video here:





VKB/AE

Meanwhile, watch as some Ghanaians demand quick prosecutions in ORAL cases