The President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency in regions severely impacted by illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
Speaking at the Jubilee House today, Friday, May 23, 2025, during the engagement between President John Mahama and the Catholic Bishops Conference, Most Reverend Kwesi Gyamfi highlighted the devastation caused by illegal mining, noting the loss of over 4000 hectares of forest cover in two years and the environmental and social impacts.
He proposes repealing permissive legal instruments, imposing a moratorium on new mining licenses, and declaring a limited state of emergency in affected zones.
Suggested implementing a national blockchain-based system for tracking gold and minerals to curb smuggling and ensure legal compliance.
In response to this, H.E. John Dramani Mahama emphasized the role of the gold board in assisting compliant Small-scale miners with sustainable mining practices.
He discussed the need for sustainable mining practices, including the use of technology to minimize environmental impact.
President Mahama stated that the idea of introducing reclamation bonds for small-scale mining companies is proposed to ensure land reclamation and environmental restoration.
Source: onlinetimesgh.com
