The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has called on the government to adopt stronger and more decisive measures in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey), including declaring a state of emergency in communities most affected by the menace.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its Annual Plenary Assembly in Damongo in the Savannah Region, the Bishops described the scale of environmental destruction as “a profound moral crisis and a spiritual challenge.”
They noted that a synodal Church recognises creation not merely as a resource for exploitation but as “a covenantal partner deserving of respect and care.”
Ecological Devastation Reaching Dangerous Levels
The communiqué highlighted alarming data on the extent of damage caused by illegal mining in 2025 alone:
- 5,252 hectares of forest reserves destroyed
- 44 out of 288 forest reserves now classified as degraded
- 75% of Ghana’s rivers polluted, mainly due to mercury and cyanide from unregulated mining
While acknowledging government initiatives such as the establishment of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), the Bishops stressed that the scale of destruction requires a far bolder national response.
Bishops Propose Tougher Measures
The GCBC is asking President John Dramani Mahama to implement stronger interventions, including:
- Declaration of a state of emergency in high-risk illegal mining zones
- Swift and impartial prosecution of all offenders, regardless of political affiliations
- Full reclamation and restoration of all destroyed lands
- Transparent national reporting on water quality, forest cover, and food safety
- Commendation and Call to Action
The Conference commended chiefs and queen mothers who have taken firm stances against illegal mining in their communities and encouraged others to emulate their leadership.
They further appealed to citizens to actively participate in the national fight, stressing that Ghana’s land and water bodies must be “sanitised and healed” for the survival and wellbeing of present and future generations.
