Archbishops and Bishops of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) have called on the government take
Immediate and Decisive Action and stop the lip service in fighting galamsey by employing all available means to halt illegal mining activities.
According to the Bishops, this includes enforcing existing laws, holding perpetrators accountable, and ensuring that those involved in illegal mining face the full force of the law without fear or favour.
In a statement issued and signed by Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi Bishop of Sunyani and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) said Despite the existence of environmental protection laws, their
enforcement has been weak and inconsistent. Corruption, complicity of political leaders, chiefs,
and the lack of political will have further exacerbated the problem, allowing illegal mining to thrive unchecked.
The statement stated that Ghanaians can no longer tolerate the lip service of government in fighting galamsey.
“We strongly urge all Presidential and Parliamentary
Candidates to make public commitments against galamsey in their ongoing political campaigns and call on their followers to follow suit. Say NO to galamsey! “.
It urged the government to prioritize the reclamation of
destroyed lands and the restoration of polluted water bodies.
“This process must involve local communities, led by the Chiefs and be transparent to ensure the recovery of the environment. We
recommend strongly, a temporal moratorium on all licensed community mining activities.”
Source:Mybrytfmonline/Mensah Atakora
