In Ghana, pressure is mounting on President John Mahama’s government to declare a state of emergency in response to illegal mining, known locally as galamsey. Critics say the widespread destruction of rivers, forests, and farmlands has reached catastrophic levels that demand urgent action.
Civil society groups, including the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, are leading the calls. They argue that existing measures have failed to curb the pollution of major water bodies and the displacement of farming communities.
The bishops describe the environmental damage as a national tragedy, warning that farmers, families, and children will bear the heaviest burden if the trend continues unchecked. They insist that only extraordinary state action can dismantle the entrenched networks that protect illegal miners.
The government, however, maintains that its current interventions are effective, pointing to increased security operations and regulatory reforms. But with public anger growing, many question whether these steps are enough to match the scale of the crisis.
