In a bold and impassioned plea, the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, alongside the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious, Ghana, has presented a petition to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, urging the government to take immediate and decisive action to halt the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining, popularly known as “galamsey.”
The petition, presented during the “Environmental Prayer Walk ” against Galamsey, underscored the growing frustration within the religious community regarding the unchecked destruction of Ghana’s natural resources.
“The priests, religious, and lay faithful of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, and the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious, Ghana, have observed, with great alarm, the destruction of our environment especially, through illegal mining, otherwise known as galamsey”.
Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSP Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra And Very Rev. Fr. Paul Sadede Ennin, SMA President, Conference of Major Superiors of Religious, Ghana
Led by the Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, and Very Rev. Fr. Paul Sadede Ennin, President of the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious, the religious community expressed their alarm over the devastating consequences of illegal mining on the environment, especially water bodies and agricultural lands.
The petition noted that despite numerous calls to action, including communiqués issued by the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, the issue has persisted, causing widespread damage to critical ecosystems.
The religious leaders pointed out that the pollution of key rivers, including the Pra, Ankobra, Densu, Tano, Offin, and Birim, has rendered these water sources undrinkable and unusable for domestic and agricultural purposes.
“A recent press statement from the Ghana Water Company Limited revealed an initial very high turbidity of 14,000 NTU which has come down to 9, 000 NTU, instead of the recommended 5 NTU in the Pra river. This has negatively impacted the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities who depend on these water bodies”.
Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSP Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra And Very Rev. Fr. Paul Sadede Ennin, SMA President, Conference of Major Superiors of Religious, Ghana
The petition highlighted farmers and rural communities, who rely on these water bodies for their livelihoods, have been severely impacted.
“The livelihoods of farmers and rural communities have been negatively affected, with food production threatened,” the petition stated, underscoring the detrimental effects illegal mining has on food security.
Health Risks and the Destruction of Farmland
In addition to the pollution of water sources, the petition outlined the loss of vast stretches of arable land, including cocoa farms, due to illegal mining activities.
This according to the petition has not only jeopardized Ghana’s agricultural productivity but has also heightened the risk of long-term health complications in affected communities.
The religious leaders pointed to the use of hazardous chemicals such as mercury in illegal mining, which has led to the contamination of water supplies and food chains.
They raised concerns about the increase in serious health conditions, including respiratory and neurological disorders, as well as the alarming rise in stillbirths and birth deformities.
“How can we justify the rise in stillbirths and physical deformities caused by such unscrupulous activities?” they asked in their petition.
Call for Stronger Enforcement of Laws and Accountability
The petition did not hold back in addressing what the religious bodies termed “weak enforcement of laws” governing illegal mining.
Despite the existence of environmental protection laws, the petition lamented that enforcement has been inconsistent and plagued by corruption.
The complicity of some politicians, chiefs, influential private citizens, and even foreigners, was highlighted as a key factor in the unchecked growth of illegal mining.
The religious leaders emphasized that the political will to combat galamsey has been lacking across successive governments, allowing the illegal activity to thrive.
“We, therefore, petition Your Excellency to act decisively in the name of Almighty God, in the interest of our people and the nation,” the petition read, as they called for immediate and robust government intervention.
Demands for Action
The petition laid out a series of demands aimed at addressing the root causes of illegal mining and restoring Ghana’s environment.
Among their key demands, the religious leaders urged the government to declare illegal mining a national security issue and to implement a state of emergency to address the crisis.
They also called for an immediate halt to all illegal mining activities, the repeal of LI 2462, which permits mining in forest reserves, and the enforcement of existing environmental laws without fear or favor.
A nationwide campaign to educate communities on the long-term consequences of galamsey was proposed. The religious leaders also called on the media, civil society, and religious bodies to amplify their efforts in raising awareness.
Again, the petition called for the reclamation of lands destroyed by illegal mining and the restoration of polluted water bodies. It suggested that this process be led by local communities and their chiefs, with transparency as a guiding principle.
Recognizing the economic importance of mining, the petition emphasized the need for responsible and sustainable practices. Licensed mining companies were urged to strictly adhere to environmental regulations to protect the ecosystem.
“Many of those engaged in illegal mining do so out of economic desperation. We urge the government to invest in alternative livelihood programmes that provide sustainable employment opportunities for these individuals, particularly in the agricultural sector”.
Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSP Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra And Very Rev. Fr. Paul Sadede Ennin, SMA President, Conference of Major Superiors of Religious, Ghana
The petition also called on all presidential and parliamentary candidates to make public commitments to fight against illegal mining in their campaigns. The religious community, for its part, pledged to continue supporting this fight through prayer and education.
Concluding their petition, the religious leaders appealed for national unity in the fight against illegal mining.
They emphasized the moral imperative of protecting the environment for future generations, invoking the names of Ghana’s ancestors and the unborn to appeal to the government and citizens alike.
“God bless our homeland Ghana and cause us to protect our common home from the evil of galamsey!” they declared in closing, signalling their unwavering commitment to the fight against illegal mining.
The petition from the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra and the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious, Ghana, marks a critical moment in the ongoing battle against galamsey.
It underscores the urgent need for government action, public accountability, and a collective national effort to protect Ghana’s environment from further destruction.
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