The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has raised concerns that illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, is increasingly being institutionalised as a source of employment for the youth.
The Conference also alleged that some politicians, Members of Parliament (MPs), Municipal and District Chief Executives (MCEs) and traditional leaders are involved in illegal mining despite their responsibility to help combat the practice.
President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, made the remarks during an engagement with Parliament’s Committee on Chieftaincy, Culture and Religious Affairs.
He called for decisive action to end illegal mining, warning that its environmental and social costs far outweighed any perceived economic benefits.
“Illegal mining is still ongoing, unfortunately, sadly, dangerously. Youth unemployment, environmental degradation, we call for responsible and decisive action. We are destroying God’s creation,” he said.
Most Rev. Gyamfi said the Conference had received a letter from a Member of Parliament who was reportedly in a dispute with an MCE over illegal mining.
He said the incident was an indication of the difficulties confronting efforts to tackle the practice, particularly where public officials and traditional authorities were allegedly involved.
“There are clear evidences that some chiefs, some politicians, some MPs, some MCEs engage in this. Now it appears that it is even formalised as a way of giving employment to people. But if we do the cost-benefit analysis, we see we are on the losing side greatly,” he said.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference maintained that the continued destruction of the environment, particularly water bodies and mining communities, could not be justified by the employment opportunities associated with illegal mining.
The Conference therefore urged stakeholders, including political leaders, traditional authorities and local government officials, to take responsible and decisive action to address the menace.