Christian Council of Ghana Calls for Total Ban on Illegal Mining (Galamsey)

The Christian Council of Ghana has added its voice to the increasing calls for a decisive and total ban on illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as "galamsey."

The religious body has expressed deep concern over the alarming effects of galamsey on the environment, local communities, and the nation’s future.

At a time when illegal mining has caused extensive damage to Ghana’s natural resources, various stakeholders, including environmental activists, political leaders, and community members, have been pushing for stringent measures to curb the menace. Now, the Christian Council has joined the chorus, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

Reverend Cyril Fayose, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, highlighted the existential threat galamsey poses to Ghana’s vital natural resources, particularly its water bodies, farmlands, and ecosystems. He warned that if urgent action is not taken, the country could face irreparable environmental damage.

Reverend Fayose noted, "The situation is critical. Galamsey is destroying our water bodies, farmlands, and ecosystems, and we cannot continue to turn a blind eye. We need to take bold and comprehensive steps to address this menace once and for all."

A Call for Immediate Action

Fayose expressed frustration at the repeated condemnations and reactive measures that have been implemented over the years but have failed to yield lasting solutions. He called for more than just surface-level interventions and urged the government to adopt a well-thought-out, long-term strategy to put an end to illegal mining in Ghana.

“I think there should be a total ban, or at least, if not a total ban, a moratorium for some time [on galamsey] so that we sit back and think about how to proceed," Reverend Fayose suggested.

He stressed that the solutions must be forward-looking, well-researched, and effectively enforced to protect future generations from the devastating consequences of environmental degradation caused by illegal mining.

Two Pathways to Address the Crisis

Reverend Fayose proposed two possible courses of action. The first option is a complete ban on all small-scale mining operations. "One way is to impose a total ban on small-scale mining so that no one is allowed to do small-scale mining, just as we don’t allow anyone to mine in water bodies," he explained.

The second option, Fayose suggested, is to allow small-scale mining to continue but under stricter regulations. He proposed that all small-scale mining companies be community-owned, meaning that local communities should have a stake in the operations to ensure accountability and minimize environmental destruction.

If we cannot do a total ban on small-scale mining, at least the small-scale mining companies must be community-owned, Fayose said, arguing that community ownership would ensure that the benefits of mining are shared locally while protecting the environment.

Galamsey’s Devastating Impact

Illegal mining, or galamsey, has been a major issue in Ghana for decades, particularly in rural areas where vast tracts of land have been destroyed. The impact on the country’s water bodies has been catastrophic, with rivers and streams polluted with heavy metals like mercury, which poses serious health risks to humans and wildlife.

The economic impact is also severe, as farmland that once supported local communities has been rendered unusable due to contamination and destruction caused by mining operations. The long-term consequences of galamsey include food insecurity, water scarcity, and loss of biodiversity, threatening Ghana’s future development.

The Role of the Christian Council

As a leading religious body, the Christian Council of Ghana is calling for the moral responsibility of citizens, communities, and leaders to act decisively. Reverend Fayose’s appeal reflects the growing concern across the country that illegal mining must be stopped to protect the environment and the livelihood of future generations.

We must come together as a nation, with our leaders, communities, and all relevant stakeholders, to find a permanent solution to this problem. This is not just about the present but also about the future of our children and grandchildren, he concluded.

The Christian Council's call for a total ban on galamsey echoes the sentiments of many Ghanaians who are increasingly demanding stronger measures to combat illegal mining, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to this growing pressure.