The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has renewed its call for the government to declare a state of emergency to address illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, warning that its effects continue to threaten public health, the environment and the livelihoods of Ghanaians.
President of the Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, said the government must adopt stronger and more decisive measures to tackle the menace before the damage to the country’s natural resources and public health worsens.
Speaking to Citi News, he warned that the dangers of galamsey go beyond environmental destruction, raising concerns about the contamination of water bodies and the food chain, as well as the potential health risks to communities.
“You cannot stop fighting galamsey. It is poisonous and very dangerous, creating other sicknesses, introducing illegal drugs into the water system, the food chain and etc,” he said.
Most Rev. Gyamfi argued that the government must demonstrate a stronger commitment to protecting the country, particularly in view of the President’s constitutional responsibility to defend Ghana and its citizens.
“Since the president of Ghana held the sword and swore to protect and defend Ghana, we should see him do certain things radically and these are situations where we say a state of emergency should be declared on this deplorable and wicked situation so that Ghanaians will be seen to be really and clearly defended,” he said.
The Conference believes that the scale of the galamsey crisis requires urgent national attention and firm action to protect communities, preserve the environment and safeguard the health of future generations.
Most Rev. Gyamfi maintained that the fight against illegal mining must remain a national priority, urging the government to take the necessary steps to confront the growing threat.
