The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has renewed calls for the government to declare a state of emergency to tackle illegal mining, warning that the growing menace poses serious threats to public health, environmental safety and the livelihoods of Ghanaians.
President of the Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, said the scale of the crisis required stronger government commitment and decisive measures to protect communities from the harmful effects of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
In an interview with Citi News, monitored by Kumasi Mail, he cautioned that the consequences of galamsey extended beyond the destruction of forests and pollution of water bodies to potential dangers affecting the food chain and human 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.
Most Rev. Gyamfi argued that the government must demonstrate its determination to protect the country by adopting more radical measures against illegal mining operators.
He said declaring a state of emergency would signal the seriousness of the government’s commitment to confronting what he described as a deplorable national problem.
“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 stated.
Bishops demand stronger action
The renewed appeal reflects the Conference’s concern about the continuing environmental and social consequences of illegal mining and the need for a coordinated national response.
Most Rev. Gyamfi maintained that protecting the population from the effects of galamsey required sustained political will, firm enforcement and measures capable of addressing the threat to the country’s natural resources.
The Conference believes that stronger interventions are necessary to safeguard water sources, protect affected communities and prevent further damage to the environment.
The call also places renewed attention on the government’s approach to illegal mining, with the Bishops urging authorities to demonstrate through decisive action their commitment to protecting the health, livelihoods and future of the Ghanaian people.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
