The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has urged President John Mahama to immediately declare a state of emergency to combat illegal mining (galamsey), warning that further delay would be a betrayal of the nation.
“Illegal and unregulated mining has become one of the gravest afflictions of our time,” the bishops said. “It ravages our rivers and forests, poisons our soil, endangers public health, corrupts governance, erodes morality, and destroys livelihoods. This is not a routine challenge for half measures. it is a national emergency requiring decisive action.”
They lamented that once-pristine rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, Birim, Offin, and Ayensu are now heavily polluted. For example, turbidity in the Ayensu River has reached 32,000 NTU far beyond the Ghana Water Company’s safe treatment level of 2,500 NTU rendering purification impossible.
The bishops condemned the destruction of forests and farms as a violation of God’s command of stewardship. “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it. To desecrate creation through galamsey is not just an offence against neighbour; it is a grave sin against God, the Creator and Owner of all,” they declared.
They warned of worsening hardships for farmers, families, and children. “Farmers can no longer trust the land to sustain their families. Children abandon classrooms for perilous pits, with many losing their lives in preventable collapses.”
The bishops accused politicians, chiefs, and security officials of protecting illegal miners. “This betrayal cuts to the very marrow of our national identity. We call such leaders to repentance without delay.”
They also expressed disappointment at President Mahama’s dismissal of their calls at his September 10, 2025, media encounter. “In both January and May, our Conference presented these concerns directly to him. Yet he has focused narrowly on economic arguments. His refusal to declare a state of emergency is profoundly troubling. The hour is late. Delay is betrayal. Now is the time to act.”
The bishops urged the government to declare emergency zones in affected areas to impose curfews, reclaim devastated lands, dismantle criminal cartels, and root out corruption in mining administration. They stressed that declarations must be backed by stronger laws, stiffer penalties, specialised courts, and a corruption-proof task force.
At the same time, they called for compassion through regulated small-scale mining zones, farmer support, and nationwide afforestation. “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.”
Finally, they appealed to all Ghanaians: “This struggle is not merely about law enforcement. It concerns the very soul of Ghana. It is about whether we choose life or death, blessing or curse. With God’s grace, let us choose life for ourselves, our children, and generations yet unborn.”
