The Catholic Conference of Major Superiors of Religious – Ghana (CSMR-GH) held its second bi-annual meeting at the Holy Cross Brothers Centre, BrafoYaw, in Cape Coast, Central Region, with a renewed call for advocates and activists to persist in their fight against illegal mining until the widespread demands to end the galamsey menace are heeded.
At a closing ceremony on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, stakeholders were urged to sustain their momentum and possibly redouble their efforts, with the assurance that those with a conscience will soon respond to the call to end the practice, which continues to cause untold devastation to the environment.
In a goodwill message, the Bishop of Donkorkrom Vicariate and Episcopal Vicar for Priests and Religious, Most Reverend John Alphonse Asiedu of the Divine Word Missionaries, emphasised that ecological destruction is not just an environmental issue but a human rights issue that robs the poor and future generations of life and livelihood.
He stated that, having identified the harms of ecological destruction, consecrated men and women of God are called to uphold human dignity and defend human rights.
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The three-day conference was used to reflect on the significant advocacy efforts by CSMR-GH in the fight against galamsey and for environmental stewardship, as well as to elect new members of the executive council following the end of the previous council’s three-year tenure.
The event, which drew participants from across the country, was held under the theme: “Consecrated Life for Human Rights Protection and Ecological Justice.”
Most Rev Asiedu noted that the Church’s mission has taken on urgency in defending human dignity, protecting life, and promoting ecological justice.
“Our vocation cannot ignore the devastation of Ghana’s rivers through illegal mining, the destruction of forests, and the poisoning of farmlands,” he said.
He added that by speaking against destructive practices, religious leaders can remind communities and leaders that the earth is God’s gift and that future generations have a right to a healthy environment.
In his address, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast, Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, admonished participants to remain religious and pilgrims of hope, even in times of despair and uncertainty.
Citing global events and the desperate attempts by some in Ghana to mine gold at the expense of the environment, he remarked that the world has become “demonic.”
He highlighted the case of parts of Nsuta in the Ashanti Region, where galamsey has eroded soil beneath railway lines, underscoring the darkness enveloping the world.
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However, he urged participants to deliberate on issues in a Christ-like manner as consecrated men and women of God.
In his opening remarks, the President of CSMR-GH, Father Paul Saa-Dade Ennin, SMA, noted that a year ago, the conference launched its Jubilee Year of Hope, dedicating it to the fight for environmental protection and care for creation.
He explained that during this period, consecrated persons, alongside other stakeholders and collaborators, were mobilised across the country to speak out against the indiscriminate destruction of forests, water bodies, and ecosystems caused by irresponsible mining practices, commonly known as galamsey.
“During this Jubilee Year of Hope, we have stood firm in our commitment to protecting the planet and promoting ecological justice,” he said.
He added, “Even though the battle is not over, we can rejoice seeing the many passionate voices crying out against the galamsey menace and putting the government on its toes to fulfill its mandate of protecting the land and its people.”
In a speech, co-guest speaker, human rights activist, and Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis Xavier Sosu, described galamsey as a significant threat to intergenerational equity, emphasising that those benefiting from the land today must not compromise its value for future generations.
He expressed hope that, with the concerted efforts of the president, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the galamsey menace would be defeated in due course.
He suggested that one productive approach would be broad stakeholder engagement with miners to highlight the devastating effects of their actions on present and future generations.
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Sharing a brief background of his relationship with the Catholic Church, Sosu revealed that he was baptised and confirmed in the Church as a young boy before being adopted by the Village of Hope Orphanage during a turbulent period in his formative years.
He said his journey from a child without hope to becoming a lawyer, activist, and Member of Parliament championing human rights should inspire the Church to chart a renewed path for the good of humanity.
He noted that there could be young people in the Church facing daunting challenges that hinder their dreams but have yet to be identified.
The Madina MP shared his story to strengthen the resolve of Major Superiors as they return to their congregations to pursue ecological justice and protect human rights.
Addressing challenges in championing human rights causes, he highlighted barriers to change, including cultural beliefs, such as perceptions that criminalising witchcraft accusations harms traditional values.
The second co-guest speaker, Friar Joseph Blay, explained that the event aimed to raise consciousness as advocates for the voiceless and poor whose rights are being trampled upon.
He attributed the galamsey crisis to weak leadership over the years and a lack of political will to enforce mining laws.
“We have effective laws as a country, but unfortunately, we are not enforcing them, resulting in the mess we find ourselves in,” he said.
Citing the Minerals and Mining Act 703 and the Minerals and Mining Amendment Act 2019 (Act 995), he noted that all minerals in their natural state are the property of the Republic of Ghana, entrusted to the president.
He questioned claims that some chiefs sell land for gold, stating that such actions are illegal since minerals belong to the state, and suggested that ignorance of these laws, combined with lax enforcement, contributes to the problem.
Friar Blay emphasised that mineral resources are a common good belonging to ancestors, the present generation, and future generations.
He added that society is guided by ethics, principles, and morality, which are essential for shaping a country’s destiny.
He urged Christians to fulfill their God-given mandate to protect the poor and the environment and called on society to uphold civic responsibilities, such as avoiding littering in public places.
GA/AM
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