Lands Ministry Reaffirms Commitment to Combat Illegal Mining Amid Violence

Christian Council of Ghana urges military deployment to combat galamsey

The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) has called on the government to scale up the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, by deploying additional military and police personnel to affected areas. The Council Chairman, Rev. Enoch Nii Narh Thompson, emphasized that the protection of the nation’s water bodies and forest reserves requires a shift from public education to robust law enforcement. He advocated for stricter enforcement of existing laws to ensure that mining activities do not continue to compromise the environment. Rev. Thompson expressed grave concerns over the environmental and public health impacts of illegal mining, describing the situation as a significant risk to the country’s future wellbeing. He argued that the current state of degradation necessitates the involvement of security agencies to provide a more effective deterrent against those destroying farmlands and polluting vital water sources. The Council believes that while dialogue and community engagement are important, they must be supported by visible and firm enforcement actions on the ground to be effective. The call for increased security intervention follows recent high-level discussions between the Christian Council and President John Mahama regarding the illegal mining issue. Rev. Thompson noted that the Council has already engaged the President on the matter and is now urging policymakers to intensify their enforcement efforts. He stressed that the Church has a moral duty to participate in the conversation and will continue to push for immediate interventions to safeguard Ghana’s natural resources and public health.