Catholic Bishops Renew Call For State Of Emergency Over Galamsey

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has renewed its call for government to declare a state of emergency to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

President of the Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, said the worsening crisis demands more decisive and radical action to protect the environment, public health and livelihoods.

Speaking in an interview with Accra-based Citi News on Thursday, October 8, 2026, Most Rev. Gyamfi warned that the effects of galamsey go beyond environmental destruction.

“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.

According to him, the scale of destruction, including the pollution of water bodies, contamination of soils and crops, and threats to food security, requires extraordinary measures.

Most Rev. Gyamfi argued that President John Dramani Mahama must demonstrate firm leadership in fulfilment of his constitutional oath to protect the nation.

“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 stressed.

The Bishops have consistently described galamsey as a moral, public health and existential threat.

Their latest call comes amid growing pressure from civil society, environmental groups and religious bodies, despite ongoing anti-galamsey operations.

The Conference insists that only a sustained, coordinated national response backed by firm enforcement will prevent further damage to Ghana’s natural resources and protect affected communities.