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.

The Ghana Police Service has arrested a 35-year-old man for allegedly forging judicial documents, bank stamps, and an indenture.

Richard Aryee, who is unemployed, appeared before an Accra Circuit Court on Thursday alongside Isaac Tse, 55, a printer.

Mr. Aryee has been charged with two counts of forgery of judicial or official documents and possession of forged documents.

Mr. Tse is facing charges of abetment of crime and possession of forged Judicial Service counterfoil receipts, with both pleading not guilty.

The court, presided over by Mrs Susan Eduful, granted each of them bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with two sureties. The sureties must be public servants earning not less than GH¢5,000 per month .

The prosecution was directed to comply with the rules of disclosure.

The case was adjourned to 24 June 2025.

Lawyers for the accused applied for bail, arguing that their clients were not flight risks, had fixed places of abode, and would not interfere with the investigation.

Chief Inspector Benson Benneh, prosecuting, opposed the bail application, stating that police were still pursuing other accomplices.

The complainant, Mr Kwame Daniels, Registrar of the High Court (Human Rights, Labour and Family Court), reported the matter.

Mr. Aryee resides at Agege 205, near Dansoman, whilst Mr. Tse lives on High Street, Accra.

On May 20, Mr Daniels received a tip-off that Mr. Aryee and others frequently visited the court area and were allegedly forging his signature on indentures used to certify land documents for clients.

He monitored Mr. Aryee and, together with Court Warrant Officers, arrested him near the Accra Metropolitan Assembly.

A bag found in Aryee’s possession contained stamps bearing the names and designations of Mr Daniels, the High Court, Ecobank Ghana Plc, and legal practitioners David A. Koko and A.W. Quartey Papafio.

Police also recovered a forged Judicial Service counterfoil receipt booklet, an Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) receipt booklet, and an indenture for one Moses Tawiah Asamoah, all bearing forged signatures and seals.

Mr. Aryee admitted to using the forged materials to certify land documents and implicated Mr. Tse as the printer of the fake receipts.

Mr. Tse was subsequently arrested at his printing shop at Akoto Lantey, James Town, where four receipt booklets were retrieved.

Both suspects were taken to the Regional CID, Accra. Caution statements were obtained, in which both allegedly admitted to the offences.

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Veteran Ghanaian actor and TV host, Akwasi Boadi—better known as Akrobeto—was involved in a serious car accident while traveling to Kumasi on Friday, May 23. The incident occurred near Konongo on the notorious Accra-Kumasi highway, a route known for heavy traffic and frequent crashes.

According to preliminary reports and eyewitnesses, Akrobeto’s vehicle collided with a large truck, though the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, and while the vehicle sustained significant front-end damage, Akrobeto was fortunate to escape without any major injuries. Images and videos circulating on social media show the severity of the impact, with the front of the car badly damaged.

Thankfully, no other injuries or fatalities have been reported in the incident.

Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene. While the crash caused significant damage to the vehicle, Akrobeto fortunately did not sustain any serious injuries.

Check out the video below:

Akrobeto has spoken, indicating that he is feeling very fine. Watch the video below: