The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has urged President John Mahama to declare a limited state of emergency in areas most severely affected by illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, amid growing concerns over environmental destruction.

Speaking during a visit to the Jubilee House, the President of the Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, presented a set of strong recommendations to help address the crisis. He called for the repeal of legal frameworks enabling what he described as “unchecked licensing” under the Minerals and Mining Act 2006, and a halt to the issuance of new small-scale mining licences until thorough environmental and social impact assessments are completed.

“We propose a targeted state of emergency in the worst-hit zones to allow for a temporary suspension of all mining activities,” Rev. Gyamfi said. He also called for the deployment of military engineering units to begin reclamation efforts in devastated areas.

President Mahama responded by reaffirming his government’s commitment to tackling illegal mining. He noted that authorities have already cleared illegal miners from forest reserves and confiscated equipment to curb further damage.

The President highlighted the role of the Ghana Gold Board, noting that its mandate extends beyond gold trade to include support for legal small-scale miners in adopting sustainable practices.

Addressing one of the bishops’ key proposals, Mr Mahama endorsed the introduction of a reclamation bond for small-scale miners—similar to existing requirements for large mining firms. The bond would ensure funds are available for land restoration, with miners refunded upon completing proper reclamation or forfeiting the bond if they fail to do so.

The President revealed that 16% of Ghana’s forest reserves have already been lost to illegal mining and encroachment. He added that the government plans to use revenue from carbon credits to finance reforestation efforts.

Beyond the environmental concerns, President Mahama also touched on the broader economic situation, saying his administration has introduced targeted measures to help mitigate the rising cost of living.

Source:TheDotNews