What Catholic Bishops in Ghana are Proposing to Address Illegal Mining in Call “to a vocation of ecological citizenship”

They reiterate the need to strengthening regulatory bodies, from which the Catholic Church leaders say they expect vigilance and integrity.

“Corruption has no place in safeguarding our environment,” they say, and urge regulatory bodies to uphold their ethical responsibilities.

Turning their attention on Christians in the West African nation, GCBC members call for fidelity to “baptismal promises and identity by standing up both publicly against illegal and irresponsible mining wherever and whenever it rears its diabolical head.”

They caution followers of Christ against accepting donations, whose origin is “questionable”. 

“Donations from questionable sources must be rejected,” they say, and emphasize, “If it is obvious that the source of wealth of a donor is illegal and irresponsible mining, their donations must be rejected.”

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The Catholic Church leaders add, “We vehemently admonish any Catholic involved in this activity to STOP with immediate effect!”

They go on to warn that Catholics involved in illegal mining risk facing ecclesiastical sanctions under Canon Law.

Ghana’s Catholic Bishops also urge faith-based to adhere to the sacred writings, including Christians and Muslims, who they call to show fidelity to the dictates of the Bible and Quran respectively.

“Let us stand as moral leaders and protect our environment,” they appeal to Christians and Muslims following their November 11-15 Plenary Assembly realized under the theme, “Jubilee Year: A Time to Proclaim Christ, Hope for the Church and Ghana.”

On their part, traditional leaders must work towards protecting their respective lands, GCBC members say, and warn, “Failing to act against illegal mining is a betrayal of their sacred oaths to the people.”

The political class, especially candidates in the general elections scheduled for December 7, must be vocal against illegal mining, Ghana’s Catholic Bishops say. 

“We challenge all Presidential and Parliamentary candidates to publicly denounce galamsey during their campaigns,” they say, adding, “Politicians must reject any personal or political gains from this activity.”

Ghana’s Catholic Bishops urge local communities to ward towards protecting their lands and water bodies. “Destroying the environment is not a solution to unemployment,” they warn.

“All communities must wake up to the reality that the destruction of their environment is self-destruction,” they say referring to Pope Francis’ October 2023 Apostolic Exhortation on the climate crisis, Laudate Deum.

To all citizens of the West African nation, GCBC members advocate for ecological citizenship alongside environmental stewardship.

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“Let our minds and consciousness reawaken to the truth that Ghana is the only earthly home we have as a people,” the Catholic Church leaders say, adding, “Together, we must fight against the perpetrators of this environmental tragedy.”

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.