Government efforts to stop galamsey are weak, inconsistent, and corrupt - Bishops Conference

The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference has criticised the government for its lack of effort to eradicate the galamsey menace and its activities since taking office.

Addressing the devastating impact of galamsey activities in the country at a press conference on Wednesday September 11, 2024, Most Rev. Matthew Kwesi Gyamfi, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, stated that the government's measures and attempts to combat the issue have been inconsistent.

He attributed the exacerbation of galamsey activities to a lack of political will and the complicity of political leaders and chiefs.

“Despite the existence of environmental protection laws, their enforcement has been weak and inconsistent. Corruption, complicity of political leaders, some chiefs and the lack of political will have further exacerbated the problem allowing illegal mining to thrive unchecked,” he said.

Rev. Gyamfi called for immediate action from the government and urged every Ghanaian to join the effort to ensure that galamsey is eradicated from the country.

"We wish to state that Ghanaians can no longer tolerate the lip service of government of whatever color in the fight against galamsey and we call for action not tomorrow but now and right from this press conference and all hands must get on board,” he urged.

The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference are the latest organisation to join calls for an immediate ban on small-scale mining and its activities.

Numerous civil society organizations and associations, including the Ghana Medical Association, University of Teachers Association of Ghana, Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana and OccupyGhana, have all demanded an immediate ban on galamsey.

Read full statement from Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference below:



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