Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, says he is confident the John Mahama-led administration will do better in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

His remarks come after some religious bodies and civil society organisations called for the declaration of a state of emergency to curb the menace. President John Dramani Mahama has, however, maintained that such a measure should only be considered as a last resort.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View with Bernard Avle on Wednesday, September 17, Ablakwa stressed the urgency of confronting the challenge.

“Let me be honest with you, on galamsey, I believe that we can do better. And all the propositions I made in the past, I stand by them. We’re on a suicidal path if we don’t stop this. We must take this up and win this war,” he said.

The Minister expressed confidence in President Mahama’s commitment to tackling the problem, noting that he believes the government will prevail.

He added that the best way to honour the memory of the eight state officials who died in the August 6 helicopter crash is for the nation to secure victory in the fight against galamsey.