Galamsey being institutionalised as source of employment – Catholic Bishops

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference says illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, is increasingly being used as a source of employment for the youth.

The Conference expressed concern over the alleged involvement of some politicians, Members of Parliament (MPs), Municipal and District Chief Executives (MCEs) and traditional leaders in the practice, despite their responsibility to help combat it.President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Reverend Matthew Gyamfi, made the remarks during an engagement with Parliament’s Committee on Chieftaincy, Culture and Religious Affairs.

He called for decisive action to end illegal mining, warning that its environmental and social costs far outweighed any perceived economic benefits.

“Illegal mining is still ongoing, unfortunately, sadly, dangerously. Youth unemployment, environmental degradation, we call for responsible and decisive action. We are destroying God’s creation,” he said.

Most Rev. Gyamfi said the Conference had received a letter from a Member of Parliament who was reportedly in a dispute with an MCE over illegal mining, describing the development as an indication of the challenges surrounding efforts to tackle the practice.“There are clear evidences that some chiefs, some politicians, some MPs, some MCEs engage in this. Now it appears that it is even formalised as a way of giving employment to people. But if we do the cost-benefit analysis, we see we are on the losing side greatly,” he added.