The Christian Council of Ghana has added its voice to the increasing number of people demanding an outright prohibition on illicit mining, or “galamsey.”
This religious organization’s plea comes at a time when calls for immediate and comprehensive action to stop galamsey are growing in number due to the practice’s grave effects on the environment, local people, and Ghana’s future.
Reverend Cyril Fayose, general secretary of the Christian Council, expressed grave worry about the existential threat that illicit mining poses to the country’s natural resources, especially its farms, waterways, and ecosystems.
Reverend Fayose emphasized the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that prompt and forceful action is needed to combat the galamsey threat.
He advocated for a well-thought-out, all-encompassing approach to protect Ghana’s future rather than just condemnations and band-aid fixes.
“There should be a total ban, or at the very least, a moratorium on galamsey so we can reassess our approach. There are two possible paths forward,” Reverend Fayose said.
“One option is to completely ban small-scale mining, similar to how we prohibit mining in water bodies. Alternatively, if a total ban is not feasible, small-scale mining operations should at least be community-owned” he added.
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