The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has expressed strong support for President John Dramani Mahama’s efforts to tackle illegal mining—commonly known as galamsey—which has devastated the nation’s environment and communities.
Reverend Matthew Gyamfi, President of the GCBC and Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese, urged President Mahama to declare a limited state of emergency in galamsey-affected zones. He recommended a temporary suspension of all mining activities in these areas, the deployment of military engineering units to reclaim degraded lands, and the restoration of lawful local governance with robust decentralized oversight.
Rev. Gyamfi made these remarks during a courtesy visit to the Presidency in Accra, where he led a 20-member GCBC delegation to congratulate the President on his resounding victory in the December 7, 2024, general election. The bishops also used the occasion to present key national concerns, including illegal mining, educational reform, and governance and electoral transparency.
He noted that illegal mining, which began as a subsistence activity, has now become a national crisis with far-reaching consequences. Citing recent data, Rev. Gyamfi revealed that more than 4,000 hectares of Ghana’s forest cover have been lost in just two years due to mining activities. Major rivers like the Pra, Offin, and Ankobra have been severely polluted, turning them into symbols of environmental collapse.
“The ecological destruction is alarming, but the moral and social decay it fosters is equally dangerous,” he stated. “We must act now—not just with force, but with foresight.”
Rev. Gyamfi stressed that while many engage in galamsey out of desperation, the minimal economic benefits it brings are dwarfed by the long-term harm it causes to the environment, the economy, and the dignity of Ghanaians.
Rev. Gyamfi emphasized that the meager economic benefits of galamsey (illegal mining) are vastly outweighed by the profound and often irreversible damage it inflicts on Ghana’s environment, economy, and the national reputation of Ghanaians.
Addressing measures to tackle the growing crisis of illegal mining, Rev. Gyamfi urged a repeal of permissive legal frameworks. He called for a comprehensive audit and revocation of legislative instruments that allow unchecked licensing under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and its associated regulations.
He proposed a nationwide moratorium on the issuance of new artisanal and small-scale mining licenses until a thorough review of environmental and social impacts is completed.
“We believe there should be a targeted state of emergency,” Rev. Gyamfi declared.
He advocated for the creation of district-level mining task forces, including civil society and church representatives, to oversee local mining activities, report violations, and ensure meaningful community engagement.
Rev. Gyamfi further recommended independent audits—made publicly accessible—of the environmental and social impacts, as well as the legal compliance of all existing mining concessions.
He stressed the need for strict enforcement of mandatory reclamation bonds and proposed the establishment of an independent environmental restoration fund, co-managed by the state, church, and traditional authorities.
In addition, he called for investment from the Minerals Development Fund into vocational training, agroforestry, aquaculture, and ecotourism initiatives in areas affected by mining.
To combat smuggling and ensure transparency, Rev. Gyamfi proposed the implementation of a national blockchain-based system to track gold and mineral resources from source to export, thereby improving legal compliance and revenue recovery.
“Your Excellency, we, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, are ready—indeed, ever ready—to stand with you,” he affirmed. “If we can successfully free Ghana from the grip of galamsey, it may well become the greatest legacy any president could leave behind.”
In response, President Mahama reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating galamsey, noting significant progress in reclaiming forest reserves that had been encroached upon by illegal miners.
