“Declare a State of Emergency in Galamsey Zones” – Catholic Bishops Urge Government
Bishops warn galamsey is a moral and environmental crisis, calling for urgent national action
- Bishops call for state of emergency in galamsey-affected areas to curb environmental destruction
- Illegal mining has degraded forests and polluted rivers, threatening ecosystems and communities
- Government urged to enforce stricter measures including prosecution of offenders and land reclamation
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has called on the government to take stronger and more radical action against illegal mining (galamsey), including declaring a state of emergency in areas most affected by the practice.
In a statement released after its Annual Plenary Assembly in Damongo, Savannah Region, the Bishops described the environmental destruction caused by galamsey as “a profound moral crisis and a spiritual challenge.”
They emphasized that creation should be seen not merely as a resource to exploit but as “a covenantal partner deserving of respect and care.”
According to the communiqué, over 5,252 hectares of forest reserves have been lost to illegal mining in 2025 alone, with 44 out of 288 reserves now degraded.
The Bishops also reported that approximately 75% of Ghana’s rivers are polluted, largely due to mercury and cyanide from unregulated mining.
While acknowledging government efforts such as the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), the Bishops insisted that the scale of the devastation requires a more decisive response.
They urged President John Dramani Mahama to implement measures including:
-
Declaring a state of emergency in high-risk galamsey zones
-
Ensuring swift and impartial prosecution of offenders, regardless of political affiliation
-
Fully reclaiming lands damaged by illegal mining
-
Providing transparent national reporting on water quality, forest cover, and food safety
The GCBC also lauded chiefs and queen mothers who have taken bold steps against illegal mining, encouraging others to emulate their leadership.
Citizens were urged to actively participate in the fight, stressing the need to “sanitise and heal” Ghana’s land and water for the benefit of present and future generations.
