The fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, has intensified with two powerful voices—the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC)
The fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, has intensified with two powerful voices—the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) and the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG)—urging President John Dramani Mahama to take decisive and extraordinary measures to curb what they describe as a looming national catastrophe.
On Monday, September 15, 2025, the GCBC issued a strongly worded statement warning that Ghana is “at the brink of destruction” due to the environmental, health, and social crises spawned by galamsey.
While acknowledging that the declaration of a state of emergency in mining-affected areas might be necessary, the Bishops stressed that such a move alone would be woefully inadequate.
“While urgent, a declaration is insufficient. Ghana requires a holistic, integrated national strategy,” the statement, signed by GCBC President Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, emphasized.
The Bishops described galamsey as one of the “gravest afflictions of our time,” citing polluted rivers, poisoned soils, destroyed forests, and the erosion of farmlands.
They revealed that critical water bodies—including the Pra, Birim, Ankobra, Offin, and Ayensu—are contaminated with mercury and other toxins, pushing turbidity levels beyond the capacity of the Ghana Water Company to treat.
Calls for Tougher Laws And Special Courts
The GCBC called on government to overhaul mining laws with stiffer penalties and stronger enforcement. Among their proposals was the establishment of specialised courts dedicated to galamsey-related offences.
According to the Bishops, this would fast-track prosecutions, dismantle the culture of impunity, and ensure that not only small-scale miners but also “the powerful and well-connected” face justice.
“His government must prosecute not only the poor but also the powerful; not only the weak but also the well-connected. Without courage, no policy will stand, no law will hold, no declaration will succeed,” the statement read.
They further recommended the creation of a corruption-proof permanent task force comprising security agencies, environmental experts, and local authorities, as well as the introduction of regulated small-scale mining zones with technical and financial support.
UTAG- We Will All Die
The Catholic Bishops’ warning was echoed the same day by the University of Ghana chapter of UTAG.
Dr. Jerry Joe Harrison, the association’s General Secretary, issued a chilling reminder of the human cost of galamsey during an interview on Channel One’s Newsroom programme.
“If we don’t do what we are supposed to do now, we will all die,” he said bluntly, pointing to widespread water contamination in communities such as Kwanyako.
Dr. Harrison, a scientist, warned that consumption of polluted water would inevitably lead to cancers, neurological disorders, and other deadly health conditions.
He stressed that even avoiding direct consumption would not shield Ghanaians, since toxins have already entered the food chain through crops and livestock.
“Whether you like it or not, if you don’t get it through the food, you get it through the meat,” he cautioned.
A National Struggle Beyond Law Enforcement
Both UTAG and the Bishops underscored that the galamsey crisis transcends law enforcement.
While enforcement is vital, they argued, poverty, unemployment, and systemic corruption also drive the menace.
The Bishops, in particular, urged chiefs to act as true custodians of the land, politicians to put the national interest above personal gain, and religious leaders to speak with courage.
They described the crisis as one that touches “the very soul of Ghana,” warning that failure to act decisively could doom future generations.
Mounting Pressure On Mahama
The pressure now falls squarely on President Mahama, who has faced criticism in recent months for what some civil society groups call “a lack of political will” in dealing with galamsey.
Both the GCBC and UTAG made it clear that half-measures will no longer suffice.
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