Catholic Bishops Urge Mahama: Declare State of Emergency Now to Save Ghana from Galamsey’s
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has issued a stark warning to President John Dramani Mahama, declaring illegal mining—known as galamsey—a “national emergency” that is ravaging the environment, corrupting governance, and endangering Ghana’s moral and spiritual fabric.
In a strongly worded statement released on September 15, signed by President Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani, the bishops demanded immediate action, including a state of emergency in affected areas.d95fb5c028b0736a72
Describing galamsey as “one of the gravest afflictions of our time,” the bishops highlighted its devastation: rivers like the Pra, Ankobra, Birim, Offin, and Ayensu polluted beyond purification, with turbidity levels hitting 32,000 NTU—far exceeding the Ghana Water Company’s 2,500 NTU threshold. Forests stripped bare, farmlands turned sterile by toxic pits, and health crises from heavy metals breeding cancers, kidney failure, and neurological disorders.
The statement decried galamsey as a “cancer in our national soul,” implicating politicians, MPs, chiefs, religious leaders, and security personnel in its spread. “To desecrate creation through galamsey is not only an offence against neighbour; it is a grave sin against God Himself,” they declared, urging Mahama to transcend “narrow economic gain” focus.
The bishops expressed frustration over Mahama’s September 10 “Meet the Press” dismissal of a state of emergency as a “last resort,” despite prior meetings in January and May 2025 yielding “unsatisfactory responses.” “The hour is late. Delay is betrayal. Now, not tomorrow, is the time to act,” they insisted, calling for a corruption-proof task force, specialized courts, harsher penalties, and alternative livelihoods for affected youth.
In a broad appeal, they urged Ghanaian to reject quick wealth temptations, chiefs to steward land responsibly, politicians to prioritize nation over party, and security forces to enforce integrity. “This struggle concerns the very soul of Ghana… Let us choose life, for ourselves, for our children, and for generations yet unborn,” the bishops concluded.
The statement aligns with growing civil society pressure, including Fix the country’s planned September 21 vigil and march.
