The Christian Council of Ghana has joined the growing chorus of voices calling for a complete ban on illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey.”
This call comes amid the escalating environmental devastation caused by illegal mining activities, which have severely impacted local communities and threaten the nation’s future.
Reverend Cyril Fayose, General Secretary of the Christian Council, expressed grave concern about the existential threat galamsey poses to Ghana’s natural resources, particularly water bodies, farmlands, and ecosystems. He stressed the urgency of addressing this crisis without delay.
Reverend Fayose urged for more than just routine condemnations and reactive policies, advocating instead for a comprehensive, long-term strategy to safeguard Ghana’s future. “There should be a total ban, or at least a moratorium, on galamsey so that we can rethink how to move forward,” he said.
He suggested two possible approaches: a complete ban on small-scale mining or the implementation of community-owned small-scale mining operations to ensure better regulation and sustainability.
