The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called on President John Mahama to immediately declare a state of emergency to confront the escalating threat of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
According to the bishops, any further hesitation in tackling the menace would amount to a betrayal of the nation and its people.
“Galamsey has become one of the most destructive challenges of our time. It pollutes rivers and soils, destroys forests and farmlands, threatens public health, weakens governance, and robs countless families of their livelihoods. This is no ordinary problem to be handled with piecemeal solutions; it is a national disaster that demands bold and urgent action,” the clergy stressed.
The bishops expressed grave concern over the pollution of major rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, Birim, Offin, and Ayensu, many of which have become toxic due to mercury and other chemicals used by illegal miners. They cited a Ghana Water Company report on the Ayensu River, which revealed turbidity levels of 32,000 NTU far above the maximum treatment limit of 2,500 NTU making the water impossible to purify for human consumption.
They further condemned the destruction of forests and arable land, describing it as a betrayal of God’s mandate to care for creation.
“The earth belongs to the Lord and everything in it. To destroy nature through galamsey is not only an injustice to our neighbour but a grave sin against God, the Creator and Sustainer of all,” the bishops declared.
Warning of dire consequences for farmers, families, and future generations, the clergy expressed disappointment at President Mahama’s refusal to declare a state of emergency during his September 10 press briefing. They insisted that the scale of devastation calls for extraordinary measures and not business-as-usual responses.
