The President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Efua Ghartey, has charged members of the legal profession to take an active stand in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, describing it as a national crisis threatening Ghana’s survival.

Addressing the Association’s Annual General Conference in Wa, Upper West Region, on Monday, September 15, Madam Ghartey lamented the devastation caused to rivers and forests, warning that entrenched interests continue to shield those behind the practice.

She questioned the country’s unusually high demand for heavy machinery, citing reports that Ghana imports more excavators than any other nation in West Africa and ranks second on the continent.

“If indeed this is true, what legitimate industry in Ghana requires such massive quantities of excavators?” she asked, insisting that such figures reveal the scale of illegal mining operations.

Calling on lawyers to use their voices and influence to defend the environment, the GBA President declared:

“The rivers of Ghana cannot speak, neither can the forests. But as custodians of justice, we are morally bound to raise our voices on their behalf and strip away the impunity that protects galamsey operators.”