The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called on President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency in areas ravaged by illegal mining, warning that the unchecked “galamsey” menace poses a grave threat to the nation’s environment, public health, and moral fabric.
In a communiqué signed by Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani and President of the Conference, the bishops described the devastation as “a calamity that imperils both the integrity of God’s creation and the dignity of His people.”
They cited mercury-polluted rivers, ruined farmlands, and dangerously contaminated water sources, including the Ayensu River, whose turbidity they said is more than twelve times the Ghana Water Company’s treatment limit.
The statement accused some political leaders, local chiefs, and security officials of enabling the crisis through corruption or silence, cautioning that “delay is betrayal.” The bishops expressed disappointment that earlier appeals in January and May went unheeded and noted that President Mahama dismissed renewed calls for emergency action during his September 10 “Meet the Press” briefing.
The Catholic Bishops outlined a national response aimed at protecting communities and restoring the environment.
They urged the government to declare emergency zones in the worst-affected regions to allow curfews and decisive security measures. They also pressed for a rapid overhaul of mining laws, tougher penalties for offenders, and specialised courts to ensure swift prosecution of environmental crimes.
To sustain enforcement, the Conference proposed a permanent, corruption-proof national task force dedicated to ending illegal mining and insulated from political interference.
The Conference acknowledged the economic pressures driving small-scale miners and called for regulated artisanal mining schemes that respect environmental standards. A large-scale land restoration and nationwide reforestation programme, they said, is vital to heal degraded areas and provide alternative livelihoods.
“The destruction of our water bodies, forests and farmlands is a national emergency that demands bold and immediate action.”
The Conference further appealed to government, civil society, and all citizens to join in safeguarding Ghana’s natural heritage for future generations.
By: Daniel Orlando/newsalertgh.com
