Catholic Bishops Accuse Chiefs, Politicians of backing galamsey

President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Reverend Matthew Gyamfi, has raised fresh concerns over the continued destruction caused by illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, accusing some traditional and political leaders of being involved in the practice.

Speaking at a meeting with Parliament’s Chieftaincy, Culture and Religious Affairs Committee, Most Rev. Gyamfi said illegal mining remained a serious threat to Ghana’s environment and called for responsible and decisive action to address the problem.

“Illegal mining, still ongoing, unfortunately, sadly, dangerously. Youth unemployment, environmental degradation, and we call for responsible and decisive action. We are destroying God’s creation,” he said.

He expressed concern that some of the very people expected to protect Ghana’s natural resources were allegedly participating in activities that are contributing to their destruction.

“And who is doing it? We know. Chiefs, which you represent, some of them are involved,” Most Rev. Gyamfi told the committee.

He disclosed that the Bishops’ Conference had received a letter from a Member of Parliament who was reportedly engaged in a dispute with a Municipal Chief Executive over illegal mining and had appealed to the Conference because of its public position on galamsey.

“As I'm speaking, this morning, we have a letter from an MP who is fighting with some MCE over galamsey. And he has written the letter to the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference, who he believes we talk about these matters,” he said. According to him, such developments point to the involvement of various influential actors in the illegal mining menace.

He alleged that chiefs, some politicians, Members of Parliament and MCEs were among those linked to galamsey activities, while expressing concern that illegal mining appeared to have become institutionalised or accepted by some as a means of providing employment.

“There are clear evidences that chiefs, politicians, some politicians, some members of parliament, some MCEs, some of these are involved,” he said. “And now, you do not know, it appears that it is even formalized as a way of giving employment to people.”

Most Rev. Gyamfi, however, argued that the economic justification for illegal mining did not stand up to scrutiny when its wider consequences were considered.

He said a proper cost-benefit analysis would show that Ghana was losing far more than it was gaining from the activity, particularly through environmental degradation and the destruction of the country’s natural resources.

He therefore challenged chiefs, Members of Parliament and other leaders to take concrete steps to end the practice, stressing that their positions come with a responsibility to protect the communities and resources entrusted to them.

He expressed concern that the fight against galamsey would be difficult to win if individuals who were expected to protect the environment were themselves involved in activities contributing to its destruction.

By Kukua Snead-Michaels