Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to declare a state of emergency in response to the severe damage inflicted on the nation’s water bodies by illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
Cudjoe criticized the president for what he sees as inaction, pointing out that the president’s recent focus on trips to China has overshadowed the pressing issue of galamsey.
During an appearance on Channel One News’ “The Big Issue” on Saturday, Cudjoe also voiced his frustration with the National Security Minister, accusing him of not recognising the critical nature of the crisis.
“It behoves us to do that. We are looking up to the president to lead the charge.
In a serious civilised country, the call by some of the media actors that some sort of emergency should be declared should have been listened to long ago because this is really an emergency.
“These are people who are going to be killed by these mining activities down the line. I expected the president—that is where leadership counts, but he is gallivanting in China claiming to be doing what on our behalf.”
“I don’t even understand what is wrong with that man. Look, this is an existential threat.
In fact, I even expected the National Security Minister to declare some sort of emergency already, but he is also asleep, fast asleep more than even the president… Until the president actually declares an emergency, nothing will happen,” he stated.
Armed men have fatally shot a traditional ruler, Segun Aremu, and abducted his wife along with another person in south-western Nigeria.
The attackers raided the palace of the retired army general and monarch, known as the Olukoro of Koro, on Thursday night.
The motive behind the attack and whether a ransom is being demanded remain unclear.
This incident follows recent calls for a state of emergency by civil society groups, with over 1,800 abductions reported since President Bola Tinubu assumed office last May.
Nigerian risk consultancy SBM Intelligence suggests the actual number may exceed 4,000 abductions during that period.
Despite legal prohibitions against ransom payments, victims often resort to payment due to distrust in authorities.
Condemning the killing of the Olukoro of Koro in Kwara state, as “reckless, shocking, and abominable”, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has vowed that the authorities would catch those responsible.
According to police, a manhunt is underway. Additionally, they have assured the neighborhood that a police outpost will be established.
There are hundreds of traditional rulers in Nigeria who are well-respected members of the community despite having no official position under the constitution. They are frequently asked to conduct cultural events and mediate conflicts among the local populace.
In 10 of the provinces most severely impacted by the earthquake that has killed thousands of people,Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared a three-month state of emergency.
3,549 people have now died in Turkey, according to Mr. Erdogan.
There have reportedly been 1,600 fatalities in Syria.
In a televised speech, Mr. Erdogan stated that the purpose of declaring a state of emergency is to allow for “quickly carried out” rescue operations in the nation’s southeast.
Without providing more information, he said the measures would let aid workers and money into the affected areas.
The state of emergency will end just before elections on May 14, when Mr. Erdogan will attempt to stay in power after 20 years.
Turkey last imposed a state of emergency in 2016 after a failed coup attempt. It was lifted two years later.
Rescuers in Turkey are battling heavy rain and snow as they race against the clock to find survivors of the earthquake that struck in the early hours of Monday.
The World Health Organization has warned the toll may rise dramatically as rescuers find more victims.
Thousands of children may be among the dead following the earthquake and aftershocks, the United Nations has said.
Heavy machinery worked through the night in the city of Adana, with lights illuminating the collapsed buildings and huge slabs of concrete, in scenes repeated across southern Turkey.
Occasionally, the work stopped and a call of “Allahu Akbar” rose up when a survivor was found or when the dead were recovered.
Adana is full of the homeless – those who lost their homes and others too fearful of aftershocks to return.
Some left without shoes, coats and phone chargers. Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing later this week.
The 7.8 magnitude tremor struck at 04:17 (01:17 GMT) on Monday at a depth of 17.9 kilometers (11 miles) near the city of Gaziantep, according to the US Geological Survey.
A later tremor had a magnitude of 7.5 and its epicentre was in the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras province.
Cars occasionally crawled forward, the wet road illuminated by glowing red brake lights. Few rescuers have made it to this part of southern Turkey yet.
One search and rescue team on their way to the city, their van loaded with specialist equipment and supplies, told the BBC they were eager to start looking for survivors, but they had no idea how bad the devastation would be when they arrived.
Nationally, 8,000 people have been rescued from more than 4,700 destroyed buildings, Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said in its latest statement.
As aftershocks continue, rescuers in some areas have been digging through rubble with their bare hands. But freezing conditions are hampering search efforts.
In the southern province of Hatay, the Reuters news agency reported that a woman’s voice was heard calling for help under a pile of rubble.
“They’re making noises, but nobody is coming,” a resident who gave his name as Deniz said while weeping.
“We’re devastated, we’re devastated. My God… They’re calling out. They’re saying, ‘Save us,’ but we can’t save them. How are we going to save them? There has been nobody since the morning.”
In Hatay, Ghanaian footballer Christian Atsu – who made 107 appearances for Newcastle – was pulled from the rubble of a building with injuries, his manager Mustafa Özat told Turkish radio.
Atsu now plays for Turkish club Hatayspor. The club’s sporting director, Taner Savut, is still under the rubble, Mr Özat said.
Image caption,Members of the Turkish military pull two women from under the rubble of a collapsed building in Hatay
In the Turkish city of Osmaniye, near the epicentre, pouring rain hampered rescuers. The city was without power as the cold and rain set in.
One family camped on the street, scared of the aftershocks, despite the freezing temperatures. Every time they felt an aftershock, the family moved closer into the middle of the street.
A hotel owner in the city told the BBC that of 14 guests staying that night, only seven had been found.
Countries around the world are sending support to help the rescue efforts, including specialist teams, sniffer dogs and equipment.
But the earthquake has caused significant damage to three airports across Turkey, also creating challenges for aid deliveries.
