Halt illegal mining in the country – Catholic protesters tell government

The priests, religious, and lay faithful of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, and the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious, Ghana, have asked President Akufo-Addo to take a drastic decision on illegal mining also known as ‘galamsey’.

The groups say “despite the existence of environmental protection laws, their enforcement has been weak and inconsistent.”

This was after its prayer and peaceful walk against galamsey organised in Accra Friday, October 11, 2024.

According to them, “corruption, complicity of some politicians, chiefs, some influential private citizens and foreigners, and the apparent lack of political will over the years by various governments have further exacerbated the problem, allowing illegal mining to thrive unchecked.”

They have therefore demanded from the “government to swiftly employ all available means to immediately halt illegal mining activities.”

According to a petition presented by the groups to the President illegal mining does not only have damning consequences on the environment but also “a Social, Economic and National Security issue.”

The groups added that they want the government to declare a state of emergency in relation to the menace, repeal the L.I. 2462 which permits mining in forest reserves, and make people who flout the laws face dearly for their deeds.

“Thus articulated, it must engender actions such as the declaration of a state of emergency in relation to galamsey, triggering a moratorium on issuing mining licences, repealing of LI 2462, which allows mining in forest reserves, enforcing existing laws, holding perpetrators accountable, and ensuring that those involved in illegal mining face the full force of the law without fear or favour,” portions of the statement added.

Source:onuaonline.com