Illegal mining now a national moral crisis – Catholic Bishops

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has described illegal mining as a national moral crisis, urging the government to declare a state of emergency in badly affected areas.

The appeal came in a communiqué issued at the end of the Conference’s Annual Plenary Assembly in Damongo.

The Bishops said the scale of destruction demands bold and urgent action from the government.

The communiqué described galamsey as “a profound moral crisis and a spiritual challenge.”
It warned that more than 5,252 hectares of forest reserves were destroyed in 2025 and 44 out of 288 reserves are now classified as degraded.

The Bishops noted that an estimated 75 percent of Ghana’s rivers are polluted, largely by mercury and cyanide from unregulated mining.

The statement stressed that “creation is not a resource to be exploited.”
It called the environment “a covenantal partner deserving of respect and care.”

Those words framed the Bishops’ demand for stronger state intervention and moral leadership.

While acknowledging steps such as the creation of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat, the Bishops said current measures fall short.

They urged President John Dramani Mahama to increase enforcement and ensure the “swift and impartial prosecution of offenders.”

The communiqué also called for the full reclamation of degraded lands and clearer national reporting on water quality, forest cover, and food safety.

The Bishops praised chiefs and queen mothers who have resisted galamsey in their communities and urged other traditional leaders to act.

They appealed to citizens to support efforts to “sanitise and heal” Ghana’s land and rivers for present and future generations.

Their statement linked moral responsibility with practical steps to restore ecosystems and livelihoods.

The intervention adds to mounting pressure on the government to adopt a stronger, coordinated response to illegal mining.

The Bishops said transparency and accountability are essential to rebuild public trust and protect vulnerable communities.

As the crisis intensifies, their call for a declared state of emergency places new urgency on national policy and enforcement. The government insists it will not declare a state of emergency as there remain strong alternatives to addressing the scourge of illegal mining.