The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has said that President John Dramani Mahama “seems to lack an understanding of the significant magnitude” of the illegal mining menace facing Ghana.
The Bishops said, “In January and May 2025, delegations from our Conference directly presented these concerns to him [President Mahama], only to receive inadequate responses centered solely on economic benefit.”
Following President Mahama’s rejection of declaring a state of emergency over the galamsey issue during last week’s media encounter citing forest laws and other measures as the best option to fight the canker, the President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Mathew Kwasi Gyamfi, along with the Bishop of Sunyani, issued a press statement revealing how they feel about the whole situation.
According to them, the Mahama led administration has not lived up to expectation with regards to the fight against galamsey which has far reaching consequences in the near future.
“We are beyond the last resort, and the President should immediately declare a state of emergency in parts of the country to save Ghanaians as prescribed by the Constitution,” the Bishops responded in their statement.
The Bishops argued that the massive devastation caused by galamsey—which threatens communities’ access to drinkable water as well as public safety, national security, and food supply—qualifies as a constitutional basis for emergency powers, referencing Article 31.9 (a) and (b) of the 1992 Constitution.
In order to show the government’s commitment and lead ongoing action, the statement urged that the President provide precise deadlines and updates. It further called for the removal and investigation of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in areas where illegal mining continues.
Full Statement Below:
