President Mahama Welcome Catholic Bishops’ Call for Stronger Galamsey Action
23 hours ago
NDC, President Mahama Welcome Catholic Bishops’ Call for Stronger Galamsey Action – Edudzi Tameklo
September 20, 2025
Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, says the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and President John Dramani Mahama respect the concerns raised by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference over illegal small-scale mining (galamsey).
“The NDC and President Mahama respect the views expressed by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference on galamsey,” Tameklo stated on The Key Points on TV3.
The Bishops have urged President Mahama to declare a state of emergency in heavily affected mining areas to enable “extraordinary interventions,” including curfews, securing devastated lands, and dismantling criminal syndicates. They also called for a holistic national strategy with revised mining laws, tougher penalties, specialised courts, and a permanent corruption-proof task force.
President Mahama recently explained his reluctance to invoke emergency powers, noting that existing laws already grant government agencies authority to arrest offenders, seize equipment, and enforce forest protections.
While acknowledging that a declaration alone would be insufficient, the Bishops recommended creating regulated small-scale mining zones, offering sustainable livelihoods for displaced miners, and launching a nationwide afforestation programme.
The Conference urged government to prosecute both influential and ordinary offenders to ensure credibility in the fight against galamsey, warning that without decisive leadership, no policy or law will succeed.
