The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has issued a clarifying call to action, urging President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency in areas hardest hit by illegal mining (galamsey), labeling the environmental catastrophe a “profound moral crisis and a spiritual challenge.”
The plea, contained in a strongly worded communiqué released at the close of the GCBC’s Annual Plenary Assembly in Damongo on November 17, 2025, reflects growing ecclesiastical alarm over the irreversible damage to Ghana’s forests, rivers, and farmlands.
Citing devastating statistics, the bishops revealed that more than 5,252 hectares of forest reserves were destroyed by galamsey in 2025 alone, with 44 out of 288 forest reserves now classified as degraded.
An alarming 75% of Ghana’s rivers are polluted, primarily from mercury and cyanide runoff, threatening water security, public health, and agricultural productivity.
“The synodal Church recognizes creation not as a resource to be exploited, but as a covenantal partner deserving of respect and care,” the communiqué stated.
While acknowledging government efforts—such as the creation of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS)—the bishops insisted these measures fall short of the crisis’s magnitude. They demanded immediate, decisive interventions, including:
Declaration of a state of emergency in high-risk mining zones
1. Swift, impartial prosecution of offenders, regardless of political or social status
2. Full-scale land reclamation in destroyed areas
3. Transparent public reporting on water quality, forest cover, and food safety
The GCBC also praised traditional leaders—chiefs and queen mothers—who have resisted galamsey in their domains, urging others to emulate their courage. “This is not just an environmental issue—it is a moral imperative for all Ghanaians,” the bishops emphasized, calling on citizens to reclaim stewardship of the land “for the sake of our children and generations yet unborn.”
The communiqué comes amid escalating public frustration with the pace of anti-galamsey enforcement, despite military-led operations and arrests. Recent incidents—including mass detentions in Ahafo and Ashanti regions and violent clashes between miners and security forces—have highlighted the entrenched, often politically protected nature of the trade.
Environmental experts warn that continued degradation could trigger food insecurity, mass displacement, and long-term health crises, with mercury contamination already detected in fish and crops in mining communities.
President Mahama, who has prioritized ecological restoration in his second term, now faces mounting pressure to match rhetoric with radical action. The bishops’ call aligns with civil society demands and international concerns, including a recent €2.4 million EU grant for forest restoration projects.
As Ghana prepares for COP30, where the Jospong Group is advocating carbon market solutions, the GCBC’s intervention reframes galamsey not merely as a governance failure—but as a spiritual and ethical emergency requiring national repentance and renewal.
The full communiqué is available on the GCBC website. The government has yet to respond officially, but sources indicate the proposal will be discussed at the next National Security Council meeting.
