The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has come out strongly against what it describes as disturbing evidence of institutionalised corruption in illegal mining operations, following explosive revelations in JoyNews undercover documentary, A Tax for Galamsey.
In a strongly-worded statement signed by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the Bishops expressed “deep concern” over what appears to be a parallel system of taxation operating in the Amansie Central District.
According to the documentary, institutions mandated to protect the environment and enforce the law allegedly became part of the very machinery driving environmental destruction.
GHS3,000 PER MACHINE?
The documentary claims that illegal miners were compelled to pay registration fees to operate — with operators of Changfang machines allegedly charged about GH¢3,000 per machine, while excavator operators reportedly paid even more.
Even more alarming, official stickers and receipts were said to have been issued.
A petition submitted to President John Dramani Mahama alleges that the District Assembly and a special task force, reportedly acting under the direction of the District Chief Executive, enforced the payments.
“If substantiated,” the Bishops warned, “this would constitute a grave breach of public trust.”
They described the alleged scheme as a dangerous shift “from enforcement into complicity”, where public authority is exchanged for financial gain and environmental destruction becomes a source of revenue.
‘RULE OF LAW WEAKENED’
The Bishops did not mince words. When regulators become enablers, they stressed, public confidence collapses.
They further expressed concern over claims that officials linked to disaster management structures demanded additional payments to prevent enforcement action — allegations which, if verified, would point to systemic misconduct across multiple institutions.
For more than three decades, the Catholic Church in Ghana has spoken consistently against the devastation caused by galamsey — polluted rivers, degraded farmlands, displaced communities, injuries and deaths from unsafe mining practices.
“The long-term effects on public health and ecological sustainability remain serious,” the statement noted, describing illegal mining as a matter of national importance that demands clarity, integrity and decisive leadership.
FOUR DEMANDS TO GOVERNMENT
Throwing its weight behind proposals made by JoyNews, the Bishops outlined four urgent actions:
- Independent Investigation – The President must establish a thorough, transparent and credible probe into the allegations, including whether similar practices exist in other districts.
- Interdiction of Implicated Officials – Any officials credibly implicated should step aside pending investigations to protect the integrity of the process.
- Full Public Audit – All Assembly revenues and accounts linked to mining activities in the district must be publicly audited. The Minerals Commission and other oversight bodies must cooperate fully.
- Stronger Nationwide Oversight – Anti-galamsey operations across the country must be reinforced with clear accountability systems, better monitoring and adequate protection for whistleblowers.
‘NO DELAY, NO INACTION’
While emphasising the need to respect due process and the presumption of innocence, the Bishops warned that credible allegations require swift and decisive action.
“Delay or inaction would risk further weakening public trust,” they cautioned.
In a show of solidarity, the Church assured investigative journalists and activists battling illegal mining — often at great personal risk — of its prayers and support.
The message was clear: Ghana cannot fight galamsey with compromised institutions.
As the nation watches, the Catholic Bishops insist that safeguarding the environment is not merely a political issue — it is a moral duty to protect God’s creation for present and future generations.
The question now is whether those entrusted with power will act.
