Ghana is facing a crisis that threatens its very survival, according to Pastor Dr. Felix Klutse, Media Ministry Director of the Church of Pentecost.
Speaking out against illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, Pastor Dr. Klutse described the practice as an existential danger to the nation’s development, warning that its consequences reach far beyond environmental destruction.
His warning follows renewed concern from Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, who highlighted the devastating impact of illegal mining on Ghana’s water bodies during the State of the Church Address at the 48th General Conference on Wednesday, April 22. Apostle Nyamekye lamented that the contamination of rivers and streams is already affecting core religious practices such as water baptism in mining communities. “The extensive pollution of water bodies due to illegal mining has hampered traditional water baptism in some mining communities, necessitating a shift to synthetic rubber pools in several districts to carry out the ordinance,” he explained.
Pastor Dr. Klutse reinforced the Church’s stance, describing galamsey as economic sabotage against future generations. “Galamsey is not just an evil canker but it is also an economic sabotage against the future generation. Because a nation that destroys its water bodies is digging its own grave. We believe strongly that water is Ghana’s real gold and once lost, no policy can mine it back,” he said.
Pastor Dr. Klutse emphasized that water is one of Ghana’s most vital natural resources, and once polluted, it cannot be restored. He further noted that the effects of galamsey are being felt within the Church itself, particularly in the administration of water baptism—a key ordinance among Pentecostal and charismatic churches. Due to concerns over health and safety, the Church has been forced to abandon the use of polluted rivers in favor of synthetic pools for baptisms.
“Water baptism is one of the ordinances of the Church of Pentecost and other Pentecostal and charismatic churches not just in Ghana but other parts of the world, and we believe strongly that when you win a soul, the soul has to be baptized by immersion,” Pastor Dr. Klutse explained. “That doesn’t mean that what others do we are condemning it, but we believe strongly in baptism by immersion, and it is worthy to note that when baptizing these souls that we’ve won, their health is very paramount so they don’t end up contracting any disease.”
He concluded that as long as Ghana’s rivers remain polluted by illegal mining, the Church must continue to adapt to protect the well-being of its members, even as it calls on authorities and communities to take decisive action against galamsey.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com