Christian Council calls for 'total ban' on Galamsey

Accra, Ghana - September 11, 2024 - The Christian Council of Ghana has added its voice to the growing chorus demanding a complete ban on illegal mining activities, known as "galamsey."

The Council's General Secretary, Reverend Cyril Fayose, emphasized the existential threat posed by galamsey to Ghana's natural resources, citing devastating environmental and social impacts.

Reverend Fayose warned that the nation's future is at stake if immediate action is not taken, highlighting severe damage to water bodies, farmlands, and ecosystems.

He described the ongoing destruction as a crisis requiring swift and decisive intervention, noting that illegal mining threatens not only the environment but also local communities' livelihoods.

“I think there should be a total ban, 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. There are two ways to proceed," he stated.

“One is 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. But the other thing is if we cannot do a total ban on small-scale mining, at least the small-scale mining companies must be community-owned," he added.

The Christian Council's plea goes beyond condemnations and reactive measures, urging authorities to adopt comprehensive policies to eradicate galamsey and restore Ghana's natural environment for future generations.

This call aligns with growing demands for a long-term solution to the illegal mining problem.

Source: Florence Kyei/Lead News Online