The Christian Council of Ghana has joined the growing chorus calling for a complete and decisive ban on illegal mining, popularly known as “galamsey.”
This appeal from the religious body comes as the devastating impact of galamsey on the environment, local communities, and Ghana’s future has reached alarming levels, prompting urgent calls from various quarters for swift and comprehensive action to curb the practice.
General Secretary of the Christian Council, Reverend Cyril Fayose, expressed deep concern about the existential threat illegal mining poses to the nation’s natural resources, particularly water bodies, farmlands, and ecosystems.
Reverend Fayose underscored the urgency of the situation, stressing that the galamsey menace requires immediate and decisive intervention.
He called for more than mere condemnations and reactive measures, advocating for a well-considered, comprehensive strategy to safeguard Ghana’s future.
“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.
Source: Adomonline