The Administrator of the Holy Spirit Cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church, in Accra, Rev. Father Clement Wilson has warned that the country’s gold industry could face international sanctions if illegal mining activities, known as galamsey, are not curbed.
Speaking during the Environmental Prayer Walk Against Galamsey in Accra, Father Wilson likened Ghana’s situation to Sierra Leone’s “blood diamonds” during its civil war, cautioning that without decisive government action, the international community could impose sanctions on Ghana’s gold exports.
The Holy Spirit Cathedral Administrator noted the destructive impact of galamsey on both the environment and the health of affected communities, where water sources are contaminated, birth defects are on the rise, and diseases like kidney failure are becoming prevalent.
“If illegal miners make all the money in the world, but their communities are dying from illnesses, who will they spend the money with?” he questioned, urging miners to consider the long-term consequences of their actions.
The Environmental Prayer Walk, attended by thousands of Catholics, started at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Adabraka and ended at Christ the King Parish in Cantonments. Participants marched in protest, calling for stronger government action to halt galamsey and restore the environment.
Father Willson conveyed the frustrations of those directly affected by polluted rivers, damaged farmlands, and deteriorating health conditions.
His warning draws parallels to Sierra Leone in the 1990s, where rebel forces, funded by illicit diamond sales, fueled a brutal civil war. Diamonds smuggled out of Sierra Leone triggered international sanctions, crippling the nation’s economy. Father Wilson fears that if illegal mining in Ghana continues unchecked, the country could face similar consequences, jeopardizing its reputation as an exporter of ethically sourced gold.
Galamsey has turned rivers into toxic wastelands, destroyed agricultural land, and left communities grappling with health crises. Archbishop Kwofie criticized the government’s current efforts to combat illegal mining, calling for stricter regulations, stronger enforcement, and a coordinated national response.
He urged communities to resist the allure of quick profits from illegal mining, stressing that the long-term environmental and economic impacts are far more damaging.
