News

Catholic Bishops urge President Mahama to declare galamsey state of emergency

Published

1 year ago

May 25, 2025

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called on President John Mahama to declare a targeted state of emergency in areas worst affected by illegal mining, known as galamsey.

During a visit to the Jubilee House, the President of the Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, presented a series of strong recommendations to help combat the growing threat of environmental degradation caused by illegal mining activities.

Introducing the proposal, he said, “Your Excellency, we propose the following and we are ready to back you up in all ways to arrest this menace. First, repeal of permissive legal instruments.”

He continued, “Audit and repeal legislative instruments enabling unchecked licensing under the Minerals and Mining Act 2006 (Act 703) and associated legislative instruments. Place a moratorium on licences, and an immediate freeze on new artisanal and small-scale mining licences until a full review of environmental and social impact is completed.”

Calling for decisive action, Most Rev. Gyamfi added, “We believe there should be a targeted state of emergency. Declare, Your Excellency, a limited state of emergency in all the affected zones to suspend all mining activities temporarily. Deploy military engineering units for reclamation.”

In response, President Mahama assured the Bishops that his government is already taking firm steps to curb the crisis.

“We have flushed out illegal miners from the country’s forest reserves and seized their equipment to prevent further environmental degradation,” he said.

The President also highlighted the role of the Ghana Gold Board, explaining that its responsibilities go beyond gold buying and exportation.

“If you read the law, part of the Gold Board’s responsibilities is to work with small-scale miners who are compliant, to give them the technology and assistance to do mining sustainably,” he noted.

President Mahama welcomed a key proposal from the Bishops on land reclamation, saying, “One of the things that Reverend Gyamfi raised in his presentation was the issue of a reclamation bond. We don’t charge reclamation bond to small-scale mining companies. We do it for the big companies. But it’s time for us to bring a reclamation bond to the small-scale mining community.”

He explained how the bond would work saying; “Some of the revenue they get from the gold is put into that bond. If they finish and they reclaim the land, their money is refunded. If they don’t, then that money will be used to contract people who will come and do the reclamation for us.”

On the broader damage already caused, the President revealed that “16% of our forest reserves have been destroyed and encroached upon.” He added that plans are underway to use the carbon credit system to finance the restoration of affected areas.

Beyond the issue of illegal mining, President Mahama also touched on the economy, stating that his government has introduced targeted interventions to help ease the rising cost of living.

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Energy

See The Areas That Will Be Affected By Power Outages On June 4

Published

3 days ago

June 4, 2026

AladdynKing

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced multiple power outages for Thursday, June 4, 2026, affecting communities in the Tema, Eastern, Central, and Western Regions, with a combination of planned and emergency maintenance exercises scheduled across the country.

In the Tema Area, a planned maintenance exercise will take place from 10:00 am to 4:00pm. The affected areas include the Sea Water Desalination Plant, Maranatha, Buade, Glow Lamp, Frimpongmaa Estates, Abrantie, Dan Adams, Coastal Estates, Basket, GCB Training School, Ataa Adama, Royal Ravico, Junction Mall, Regimanuel Estates, Parakuo Estates, Queensland International School, Kpoo Keke, Best Western Premier Hotel, Leisure Hours Hotel, and extensive parts of Nungua including Zongo, Township, Traditional Council, Polyclinic and Secondary School. Also affected are the Kpeshie Divisional Police Headquarters, Coco Beach, Main 1, Father’s Hotel, C5 and surrounding areas. The notice was originally issued on Monday, June 1.

In the Eastern Region, a planned maintenance exercise will run from 8:00am to 5:00pm, affecting Sekesua, Anyamoni, Oterkpolu, Bukonor, Asesewa, Akateng and surrounding areas. This notice was originally issued on Tuesday, 2nd June.

The Central Region will experience a planned outage from 9:00am to 3:30pm, affecting Brimso Headworks, Akaikrom, Police Barrier, Ankaful Junction, Mpeasem, WAEC, Yayaaikawa, Wanyiwato, part of Dominase, Duakyimase and surrounding areas.

In the Western Region, ECG will undertake two separate exercises. The first is an emergency maintenance from 10:00am to 2:00pm, affecting Dixcove, Busua, Cape 3, Agona Damtsi, GREL and surrounding areas. The second is another emergency maintenance from 9:00am to 4:00pm, affecting Akoon, UEE, parts of Market Circle, Railway Quarters, Apinto Hospital, Cyanide, Kwabedu, Alhaji Dauda, New Atuabo, Budo City, Banso, Esuosu and surrounding areas.

ECG has expressed regret for the inconvenience that will arise from all these exercises. The company has advised affected customers to make alternative arrangements for power-dependent activities during the specified hours.

All notices were originally issued between Monday, June 1 and Wednesday, June 3, 2026. ECG assured that power supply would be restored to all affected areas upon completion of the scheduled maintenance works. Customers have been encouraged to contact ECG’s official communication channels for further updates.

graphic.com.gh

General News

Today’s Newspaper Headlines: Thursday, 4th June, 2026

Published

3 days ago

June 4, 2026

AladdynKing

General News

Assin Edubiase: School Bus ‘Plunges’ Into River, Two Pupils Killed

Published

3 days ago

June 3, 2026

AladdynKing

Tragedy struck when a school bus transporting more than 40 pupils of a preparatory school at Assin Edubiase in the Assin South District of the Central Region veered off the road and plunged into a river.

It resulted in the death of two kindergarten pupils of the Alice Elites Academy.

The deceased, a three-year-old and a five-year-old, were among pupils who were in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter bus with registration number AS 2218-20.

The accident occurred on the Assin Kwafokrom-Homaho stretch on Monday [June 1, 2026].

Graphic Online understands that the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, it veered off the road, and plunged into the river.

Dozens of pupils got injured.

ASP Wonder Lumor from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Central North Regional Police Command told Graphic Online that the 40 injured pupils were transported to health facilities for emergency medical care.

According to him, 22 of the victims were taken to the St. Francis Xavier Hospital, while the 18 others received treatment at the Assin Edubiase Health Centre.

ASP Lumor explained that all the injured pupils responded positively to treatment and were later discharged.

graphic.com.gh