The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called on the government to declare a targeted state of emergency in areas affected by illegal mining, widely known as galamsey, as a drastic but necessary measure to stop environmental degradation and protect communities.
During a courtesy visit to President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House, the bishops expressed deep concern over the devastating effects of illegal mining on water bodies, forests, farmlands, and public health.
Bishops Demand Bold Action
The President of the Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, stated that a formal emergency declaration would give the government expanded authority and resources to restore devastated lands and curb ongoing destruction.
“After 32 years of our democratic experience and the decisive mandate handed to you by the Ghanaian electorate, it is time for real and meaningful change for our people. This means that failure will attract very little sympathy from the citizenry,” Rev. Gyamfi warned.
He noted that the political duopoly of the NDC and NPP, each governing for 16 years under the Fourth Republic, has not fully addressed the urgent challenges posed by galamsey, despite democratic gains.
President Mahama Responds: Forest Reclamation Underway
In response, President Mahama assured the bishops that the government is committed to reclaiming and restoring all degraded forests, leveraging global carbon finance mechanisms.
“16% of our forest reserves have been destroyed or encroached upon. We’re planning to reclaim and rehabilitate these areas through the carbon credit system,” Mahama stated. “Restoring forests allows us to claim carbon credits, which will help fund further environmental recovery.”
New Front: The Blue Water Guard
Beyond policy commitments, the Mahama administration has launched a new enforcement initiative called the Blue Water Guard, a 2,000-member task force trained by the Ghana Navy to monitor and report illegal mining activities.
As of May 21, 2025, the Minerals Commission has deployed 453 personnel across seven districts in the Western Region. These trained guards will work closely with the Navy and Ghana Police Service as part of a multi-agency strategy to combat illegal mining.
A History of Struggles
Despite previous interventions such as Operation Vanguard and Operation Halt, illegal mining continues to be a stubborn national crisis. While these military-led efforts under former administrations produced temporary results, galamsey operations have rebounded, raising concerns about enforcement consistency and local complicity.
The Catholic Bishops’ call for a state of emergency signals growing pressure on government to escalate its response to galamsey, which remains a major threat to Ghana’s environmental sustainability, food security, and public health.
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