The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference is pushing for the collective adoption of strategic plans to pressure the next government to stop galamsey.
Bishop of the Obuasi Diocese, Most Rev. John Yaw Afoakwah speaking at the annual plenary of the GCBC, is rallying the support of his colleagues, believes halting illegal mining should be followed by a comprehensive plan to reverse the deterioration.
This follows the threat of galamsey to lives of people in the Adansi enclave due to the deterioration of the environment.
“I will urge the conference to map out strategic plans to put pressure on the incoming government if possible, to end galamsey and initiate measures and policies to reclaim affected lands”, he said.
Illegal mining continues to wreak havoc in the country’s forest reserves and river bodies.
Before the opening of the plenary in Obuasi, some of the bishops took a trip to the polluted Jimi River which serves the water needs of parts of the town.
Due to the unbearable cost of treatment of the river, Anglogold Ashanti Mining Company who bears the cost has resorted to the drilling of boreholes for their quarters, depriving some communities of access to potable water.
According to the Obuasi Catholic Diocese, lives in some communities in its catchment continue to deteriorate due to the menace.
President of the Bishops Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi says the issue of illegal mining will be central in their plenary.
“All the Bishops here paid visit to many communities in the Diocese. We interacted with the people and heard their concerns especially about this menace and how helpless they are. Their concerns will certainly come to bear in our delibrations. There must be a way out”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah condemned the politicization of the fight against illegal mining.
He believes in concerted efforts to fight the menace.
“It is a responsibility that all of us must get our waterways cleared and protect our forests. The communities who have been supporting them anytime you send security there must also stop”, he added.