The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called on the government to take decisive and concrete action against illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, rather than merely paying lip service to the issue.
In a statement released on September 11, the Bishops urged the government to fully employ all available resources to combat these illegal activities, enforce existing laws, and ensure that those responsible face the full extent of legal consequences.
The Conference emphasised the urgent need to address the environmental destruction and social harm caused by galamsey, which continues to devastate Ghana’s water bodies, farmlands, and communities.
They stressed that addressing this issue requires collective action and commitment from all sectorsof society, and not just the government.
According to the Bishops, enforcing laws and holding perpetrators accountable are crucial steps in reversing the damaging effects of illegal mining.
The statement also called for a unified effort from key stakeholders in the fight against galamsey.
The Bishops highlighted the roles of government, the legislature, judiciary, media, civil society, chiefs, and religious leaders, urging them to collaborate in addressing the illegal mining crisis.
They noted that all parties must work together to protect the environment and the future of the nation.
While condemning illegal mining practices, the Bishops also acknowledged the importance of mining to Ghana’s economy.
They advocated for sustainable and responsible mining practices, urging both large-scale and small-scale mining companies to comply with environmental regulations.
The Conference highlighted that responsible mining practices are essential to balancing economic growth with environmental preservation.
Furthermore, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference recommended the creation of alternative livelihood programmes for individuals engaged in galamsey.
They pointed to economic hardship as a major reason people turn to illegal mining and urged political leaders to publicly fight galamsey in their election campaigns, ensuring that their promises translate into real action.
“Immediate and Decisive Action by Government: We urge the government to stop the lips service in fighting galamsey by employing all available means to halt illegal mining activities.
“This includes enforcing existing laws, holding perpetrators accountable, and ensuring that those involved in illegal mining face the full force of the law without fear or favour.”
“Education and Awareness Campaigns: We call on the media, civil society organizations, and religious bodies to amplify education and awareness campaigns on the devastating effects of illegal mining. Communities must be empowered to understand the long-term consequences of galamsey.
“Restoration of Affected Areas: We urge the government to prioritize the reclamation of destroyed lands and the restoration of polluted water bodies.
“This process must involve local communities, led by the Chiefs and be transparent to ensure the recovery of the environment. We recommend strongly, a temporal moratorium on all licensed community mining activities.”
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