The Ghana chapter of the Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa (CYNESA) has expressed deep frustration over the government’s lack of action in addressing the illegal mining crisis that is ravaging the country.
CYNESA has voiced concerns about the environmental and social damage inflicted by illegal mining, which Pope Francis has criticized in his encyclical Laudato Si. The group points out that this crisis is causing widespread devastation to ecosystems and exploiting vulnerable communities, with a troubling lack of response from many observers.
In a statement released on September 6, 2024, CYNESA called on key stakeholders to escalate their efforts to confront this pressing issue.
“We urgently call on Catholic Members of Parliament to speak out and take decisive action now,” the statement said.
The group is also calling on the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference to rally Catholics and other concerned citizens to demand immediate and effective action against illegal mining, including through peaceful demonstrations.
Additionally, CYNESA is encouraging the faithful, including the Knights and Ladies of Marshall, St. John International, and the Ladies Auxiliary, to actively support justice and environmental advocacy.
Francisca Dommetieru Ziniel, CYNESA’s Country Director and Coordinator for West Africa, criticized the inaction of political, religious, and traditional leaders as “deafening and unacceptable.”
“Every day, our youth suffer due to the failure of those in power to address this crisis,” the statement added.
CYNESA’s call for action follows similar appeals from the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and other health organizations for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to impose an immediate ban on all small-scale mining operations, whether legal or illegal. This call reflects growing alarm over the destruction of Ghana’s forests and water bodies, and the serious public health threats posed by illegal mining, or galamsey.
Illegal mining has become a major national crisis, leading to the widespread destruction of natural resources and farmlands. Despite various government initiatives, including the Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995) that imposed severe penalties on offenders, the problem persists.
President Akufo-Addo’s administration, which promised to tackle illegal mining from the outset, established the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining and launched Operation Vanguard, a security task force aimed at curbing these activities.
Yet, accusations of corruption and involvement by politically connected individuals in illegal mining have plagued the effort. As the general elections approach, galamsey has become a significant political issue, with parties engaging in blame-shifting while the country continues to suffer.
The effects of illegal mining are evident, with the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) attributing lower cocoa yields to galamsey and the Ghana Water Company facing difficulties in supplying clean water due to contamination of water bodies.
The Ghana Water Company Limited has warned that it may need to shut down major treatment plants in the Ashanti Region due to high levels of turbidity and escalating production costs resulting from illegal mining.
Below is the full statement by CYNESA
The Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa (CYNESA) expresses its profound outrage at the government’s continued inaction on the illegal mining crisis, also known as galamsey.
This environmental and social disaster, which Pope Francis explicitly condemned in Laudato Si, is not only destroying ecosystems but also exploiting vulnerable communities with impunity.
We urgently call on Catholic Members of Parliament to speak out and take decisive action now. The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference must mobilize Catholics across the nation, together with well-meaning Ghanaians, to demand immediate and concrete steps to end galamsey through peaceful protests.
It is time for the Knights and Ladies of Marshall and St. John International, along with the Ladies Auxiliary, to step forward as the true defenders of justice and faith, speaking boldly and acting decisively against this national calamity.
The silence of our political, religious, and traditional leaders is both deafening and unacceptable. Every day, our young people suffer as a result of the neglect and failure of those in power. We call on all people of faith to denounce these violations, using all available platforms to demand immediate action.
We urge the government, civil society, and international organizations to treat this crisis with the urgency it deserves. Strengthen environmental regulations, rigorously enforce laws, and hold perpetrators accountable with severe penalties.
Moreover, it provides genuine economic alternatives for communities that have become dependent on illegal mining activities for survival.
CYNESA is resolutely committed to the pursuit of a just and sustainable future. We invite all concerned citizens to join us in defending the environment, advocating for human dignity, and ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.
As Pope Francis reminds us, “The environment is God’s gift to everyone; we must respect the rights of others in its use.” Let us rise to meet this challenge, standing in solidarity for the preservation of our common home.
For further information, contact:
Francisca Dommetieru Ziniel
Country Director and Coordinator for West Africa
Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa (CYNESA-Ghana)