The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, has called on the government to show decisive political will to end illegal mining, known as galamsey, which continues to devastate communities and pollute water bodies across the country.
In an interview with Bernard Avle on Channel One TV’s The Point of View, Rt. Rev. Dr Kwakye stressed that the government possesses both the authority and capacity to eradicate galamsey, but must act with determination. “Government has the political power. It also has the might to crush galamsey. If government wants to crush galamsey, government is able to,” he stated.
Highlighting the environmental and economic toll of illegal mining, he pointed out that vast sums are spent on water treatment due to pollution, while mining communities are left in ruins. “The communities where mining is taking place are getting destroyed. And our waters are polluted. And we spend huge amounts of money to treat water,” he noted.
The Presbyterian Church, he explained, has long raised concerns about galamsey and continues to use its platform for advocacy. This year, the Church’s annual symposium was moved to Tarkwa, a mining hub, to give participants firsthand experience of the effects of illegal mining. The event was followed by the National Red Sunday campaign, which further spotlighted the crisis.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Kwakye called on all Ghanaians to unite in the fight against galamsey, warning that its consequences stretch far beyond mining communities. “We sit in Accra, there’s no galamsey going on here, but we are all reaping from what is happening in these places,” he said.
He urged a bipartisan, non-partisan approach to the problem, insisting that environmental damage does not respect political affiliations. “The water that is polluted does not ask whether your lips are NDC or New Patriotic Party. They don’t seek your partisan colours,” he remarked.
Addressing calls for a state of emergency, Rt. Rev. Dr. Kwakye said he prioritises tangible results over declarations, emphasising the need for effective enforcement and real environmental restoration. “I want results, not just a state of emergency… What we are seeking is for this nation to do what is right. And for this nation to be united. And that is why we are asking for a bipartisan approach. It’s important that we save ourselves,” he concluded.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com