The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) is calling a full-blown national emergency. In a powerful statement issued Monday, the bishops demanded urgent government action, including the creation of special courts to fast-track prosecution of illegal miners and their high-level enablers.
The message, signed by GCBC President Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, didn’t mince words. It painted a grim picture of ecological destruction, widespread corruption, and a looming public health crisis—one that threatens the very soul of the nation.
“Galamsey ravages our rivers and forests, poisons our soil, endangers public health, corrupts governance, erodes our moral fibre, and extinguishes livelihoods,” the Bishops wrote. “This is not a routine challenge to be managed with half-measures; it is a national emergency requiring decisive, extraordinary response.”
A Poisoned Land, A Sick Nation
The toll of illegal mining has become impossible to ignore. Rivers like the Pra, Ankobra, Offin, Birim, and Ayensu—once vital water sources—are now laced with mercury and other toxins. Water treatment plants can’t cope. Forests have been flattened. Farmlands lie in ruin. Dangerous pits left behind by miners continue to claim lives.
Worse still, the toxic chemicals are entering the food chain, the Bishops warned—contributing to cancer, neurological disorders, and widespread health risks that could haunt the country for generations.
The Call For Accountability—At All Levels
While small-scale miners are often the face of the problem, the Catholic Bishops were clear: the real rot goes deeper. The statement urged President John Dramani Mahama to target not just the miners, but also the powerful figures who shield and enable them—politicians, chiefs, police officers, and military personnel.
“This betrayal of trust cuts to the very marrow of our national identity,” the Bishops said. “We call such leaders to repentance without delay.”
To address the crisis, the GCBC called for specialised courts with the sole mandate of handling galamsey-related offenses—arguing that slow and inconsistent prosecution has fueled a culture of impunity.
They also pushed for the creation of a permanent, corruption-proof task force made up of environmental experts, security agencies, and local authorities. Other recommendations included:
- Nighttime curfews in mining hotspots
- Tougher mining laws and penalties
- Afforestation programmes to restore damaged lands
- Viable alternatives for those driven to illegal mining by poverty
“Choose Life”
The message wasn’t just directed at the government. The Bishops issued a moral challenge to the nation as a whole—calling on citizens, especially traditional leaders and public servants, to reject the short-term lure of galamsey riches.
“This struggle is not merely about law enforcement,” they wrote. “It concerns the very soul of Ghana. It is about whether we choose life or death, blessing or curse.”
In a country where natural beauty and ecological wealth have long been part of the national identity, the Bishops’ words hit hard. Their message was a plea—but also a warning: without bold action now, the cost to future generations may be irreversible.
“With God’s grace, let us choose life—for ourselves, for our children, and for generations yet unborn.”
Source:TheDotNews