The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Rt Rev. Dr Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, has called for a bipartisan approach to tackling illegal mining (galamsey).
He cautioned that its environmental and public health consequences far outweigh any economic benefits.
He said although successive governments had introduced various measures to address the problem, there was the need for a more decisive and united national response to “crush” the menace.
Rt Rev. Opare Kwakye stressed that the fight against galamsey must not be politicised, as the lives of citizens and the future of the country were at stake.
He urged Ghanaians to come together, regardless of political affiliation, to ensure the problem was dealt with effectively for the benefit of future generations.
The Moderator made the call in an exclusive interview with The Ghanaian Times during a ceremony to welcome him to the Ga West Presbytery of the PCG as part of his nationwide tour of all 21 presbyteries.
The pastoral visit, which covered all six zones of the presbytery and 25 districts, was aimed at gaining first-hand information on the administration of the church and the challenges facing various congregations, as well as offering solutions where necessary.
It also marked the climax of the 10th anniversary celebration of the Ga West Presbytery and served to rally members towards the bicentennial celebration of the PCG scheduled for December 2028.
Rt Rev. Opare Kwakye reaffirmed the church’s commitment to advocating environmental protection to safeguard the country’s natural resources for future generations.
He emphasised that no financial gains from galamsey could be compared to the destruction it was causing both now and in the long term.
Illegal mining continues to dominate national discourse despite years of interventions by successive governments, including military operations, anti-galamsey task forces, the seizure and destruction of excavators and other equipment, the suspension of some mining licences, and the introduction of community mining initiatives.
Environmental experts have consistently warned that the destruction of forests and pollution of water bodies pose serious threats to Ghana’s water security, biodiversity and agricultural productivity.
They have also raised concerns about the presence of mercury and other heavy metals in rivers, cautioning that prolonged exposure could lead to kidney disease, liver damage, neurological disorders and complications in pregnancy.
Officials of Ghana Water Limited have, on several occasions, expressed concern about rising turbidity levels in raw water sources due to galamsey.
BY ABIGAIL ANNOR
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Rt Rev. Dr Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, has called for a bipartisan approach to tackling illegal mining (galamsey).
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