The Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called on President John Dramani Mahama to confront illegal mining, not only as a governance challenge, but as a deep moral crisis that endangers Ghana’s future and violates humanity’s responsibility to care for creation.
Speaking at a Civil Society Organisations’ meeting with the President on Friday, October 3, the Bishops reminded government that galamsey is more than an environmental concern. It is an ethical test of leadership, stewardship, and justice. By destroying water bodies and farmlands, they said, the practice robs future generations of their rightful inheritance and betrays the sacred duty to protect the Creator’s gifts.
“We urge you, Your Excellency, to provide clearer benchmarks that will trigger a state of emergency, including visible prosecution of kingpins named in official reports, measurable accountability for local authorities and security services, and protection for communities and traditional leaders who resist galamsey,” they declared.
The Bishops stressed that Ghana’s survival depends on courage and moral clarity at the highest level of leadership. They warned that no one must be seen as above the law, regardless of wealth or political status.
“Our people must see that no one is above the law. We are with you in this fight, and we urge you to act with courage and moral clarity,” they said. “History will not measure your leadership by words alone, but by the protection you secured for generations yet unborn. Our house is on fire—let us put it out.”
By framing galamsey as both a sin against nature and a betrayal of social justice, the Bishops placed the fight within the larger moral duty of leadership — calling on the President to rise above political compromise and safeguard the nation with integrity, stewardship, and truth.
