Accra: The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference has issued a stark warning over the alarming scale of environmental devastation caused by illegal mining activities across the country, urging urgent and strategic action to tackle what they describe as a “national crisis of profound magnitude.”
Speaking at a formal meeting with President John Dramani Mahama at Jubilee House on Thursday, Bishop Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, president of the Conference, condemned the widespread destruction of Ghana’s forests and waterways. He emphasized that this challenge transcends environmental damage, carrying deep moral and social consequences for the nation.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, Bishop Gyamfi revealed that illegal mining has led to the loss of over 4,000 hectares of forest in just two years. He named rivers like the Pra, Offin, and Ankobra as prime examples of ecosystems now teetering on the brink of collapse, reduced to symbols of ecological ruin.
“The extent of the environmental destruction is catastrophic,” he said, “yet the social decay and ethical breakdown that follow are equally dangerous. Our response must be thoughtful and decisive — combining firm enforcement with sustainable alternatives for those driven to illegal mining out of necessity.”
In a comprehensive intervention aimed at policy reform, the Bishops unveiled a seven-point action plan to curtail the menace known locally as galamsey:
Repeal of Enabling Legal Frameworks: A call to review and repeal portions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) that currently allow unchecked issuance of mining licenses.
Freeze on New Licenses: Immediate suspension of all new artisanal and small-scale mining permits pending thorough environmental and social assessments.
Temporary State of Emergency: Proposal to declare a focused state of emergency in the most affected areas to halt illegal mining, facilitate military-led land restoration, and restore lawful order.
Decentralized Oversight Committees: Establishment of district mining taskforces that include civil society and Church representatives to actively monitor mining practices and report abuses.
Public Eco-Social Audits: Introduction of transparent, independent audits assessing environmental damage, social impacts, and legal compliance of ongoing mining operations.
Environmental Restoration Fund: Implementation of mandatory reclamation bonds alongside a co-managed restoration fund, jointly overseen by the government, Church, and traditional authorities.
Alternative Livelihood Programs: Allocation of part of the Minerals Development Fund to vocational training and promotion of sustainable livelihoods such as agroforestry and aquaculture.
Embracing modern technology, the Bishops also recommended the deployment of a blockchain-based mineral traceability system designed to combat smuggling, ensure regulatory adherence, and recover lost government revenues.
This pointed intervention by Ghana’s Catholic leadership underscores the urgent need for a holistic, multi-sectoral response to one of the country’s most pressing environmental and social challenges.