A photo of a galamsey site
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has cautioned that declaring a state of emergency in areas affected by illegal mining may be necessary but not sufficient to resolve the crisis.
In a statement issued on Monday, September 15, 2025, the bishops urged government to adopt a comprehensive and long-term national strategy to tackle the devastating effects of ‘galamsey’.
They warned that Ghana’s environment, public health and national integrity remain at serious risk, stressing that only bold, and coordinated actions can bring lasting solutions.
“While urgent, a declaration of state of emergency is insufficient. Ghana requires a holistic, and integrated national strategy,” the statement said.
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The bishops proposed reforms including a complete overhaul of mining laws with stronger enforcement and stiffer penalties for offenders, the creation of specialised courts to fast-track galamsey-related prosecutions, and a permanent corruption-proof task force made up of security services, environmental experts and local authorities.
They noted, however, that enforcement alone is not the answer.
Many people engaged in illegal mining, they said, are driven by poverty and desperation.
To address this, they recommended regulated small-scale mining zones with environmental safeguards, technical and financial support for miners, land restoration programmes, access to credit and training for displaced farmers, as well as a nationwide afforestation and reclamation initiative to create dignified jobs for the youth.
The bishops also appealed directly to President John Dramani Mahama to show strong leadership in ensuring that the fight against illegal mining targets not only the poor but also the powerful.
“Government must prosecute not only the poor but also the powerful; not only the weak but also the well-connected. Without courage, no policy will stand, no law will hold, no declaration will succeed,” the statement said.
They further called on chiefs to be true custodians of the land, politicians to prioritise national interest, security agencies to act with integrity, and religious leaders to speak boldly and truthfully.
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“This struggle is not merely about law enforcement. It concerns the very soul of Ghana. Let us choose life, for ourselves, for our children and for generations yet unborn,” the bishops added.
MRA/VPO
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