Galamsey, the local term for illegal mining in Ghana, has become a pressing issue. As Africa’s leading gold producer, Ghana sees about 35% of its gold extracted by small-scale miners, many of whom operate unlawfully. Catholic bishops have sharply criticized the government’s insufficient response and are calling for urgent action to tackle the severe environmental damage and corruption associated with these illegal activities.
During a press conference on September 11, Bishop Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi of Sunyani, president of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, condemned the government of President Nana Akufo-Addo for what he described as “weak, inconsistent, and corrupt” measures to combat galamsey. The bishops expressed grave concern over the ongoing environmental degradation caused by these illegal mining activities.
Bishop Gyamfi highlighted that political leaders and some traditional chiefs are complicit in exacerbating the crisis, allowing illegal mining to flourish unchecked. He referenced Pope Francis’ encyclical *Laudato Si’* and called on all Ghanaians to act as stewards of the environment, emphasizing that the destructive effects of galamsey undermine this responsibility.
Ghana, recently reinstated as Africa’s leading gold producer with a 32 percent increase in production in 2022, faces a dark side of this gold boom. Approximately one million Ghanaians are involved in galamsey, impacting around 4.5 million people. The illicit activities led to the smuggling of $2.3 billion worth of gold in 2016, depriving the country of vital revenue.
The bishops have consistently voiced their concerns about galamsey since 2009, with past documents and initiatives stressing the severe consequences of illegal mining on the nation’s ecosystem. Their September 11 statement criticized the government’s failure to take substantial action and called for a comprehensive educational campaign to raise awareness about the long-term impacts of illegal mining.
They urged the government to enforce existing laws rigorously, hold offenders accountable, and restore affected lands and water bodies. The bishops also recommended a temporary halt on licensed community mining activities to facilitate environmental recovery.
The press conference saw support from other stakeholders, including the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, which announced plans for investigative reporting and potential demonstrations to pressure the government into action. The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) also labeled illegal mining as a serious criminal activity that threatens environmental sustainability and public health.
The bishops reiterated their call for mining companies to adopt sustainable practices, stressing the need for responsible mining operations that comply with environmental regulations.
Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up to date by subscribing to our magazine -New People. (crux)
