Catholic Bishops urge gov’t to declare state of emergency as galamsey crisis worsens
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has renewed calls for the government to declare a state of emergency to tackle illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, warning that the escalating crisis poses serious threats to public health, the environment and livelihoods.
President of the Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, said the government must adopt stronger and more decisive measures to address the menace and protect the well-being of Ghanaians.
Most Rev. Gyamfi, speaking in an interview cautioned that the effects of illegal mining go beyond environmental destruction, highlighting the potential dangers it poses to water bodies, the food chain and public health.
“You cannot stop fighting galamsey. It is poisonous and very dangerous, creating other sicknesses, introducing illegal drugs into the water system, the food chain and etc,” he said.
He called on the government to demonstrate a greater sense of urgency in dealing with the crisis, arguing that the scale of the problem demands extraordinary intervention.
According to him, declaring a state of emergency would signal the government’s commitment to protecting citizens and confronting the devastating consequences of illegal mining.
“Since the president of Ghana held the sword and swore to protect and defend Ghana, we should see him do certain things radically and these are situations where we say a state of emergency should be declared on this deplorable and wicked situation so that Ghanaians will be seen to be really and clearly defended,” he said.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference maintains that the far-reaching effects of galamsey require a coordinated and decisive national response to protect affected communities and prevent further damage to the country’s natural resources.
Most Rev. Gyamfi reiterated the need for sustained political commitment and firm action, stressing that the fight against illegal mining must remain a priority to safeguard Ghana’s environment and the health and livelihoods of its people.
Source: Sekunde FM
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