Anglican House of Bishops Calls for immediate action against illegal mining in Ghana

The Anglican House of Bishops in Ghana has called for urgent action against the ongoing illegal mining activities (Galamsey) in Ghana 'which are devastating the country's environment and future'.The Bishops, in a statement signed by the Most Rev Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, Primate and Metropolitan Bishop of the Church of the Province of West Africa (CPWA), expressed profound concern over the escalating crisis caused by 'galamsey' across the country.The call to action adds to the growing voices demanding urgent measures to address the illegal mining activities in Ghana as the nation grapples with the environmental and socio-economic impact of 'galamsey'.They highlighted its destructive impact on water bodies, farmlands, and the overall ecosystem, urging the Government to take immediate action to nip the phenomenon in the bud to safeguard the future of the country.The Anglican Bishops emphasized that the 'greed-driven pursuit of gold' was not only ravaging the natural landscape but also posing a significan t threat to future generations who would inherit the consequences of the environmental catastrophe.'Our water bodies, the lifeblood of our communities, are poisoned with mercury and other toxic substances, rendering them unfit for human consumption and threatening the ecosystems that depend on them,' the statement said.Arable lands - the foundation of the country's agricultural sector - the Bishops said, were being eroded and stripped bare, leaving behind barren landscapes unable to sustain life.Stressing the urgent need for collective action, the Anglican House of Bishops, therefore, called on Ghanaians to join in the collective fight against 'galamsey' as the responsibility of addressing the issue did not lie solely with the Government but required the active participation of every citizen.The Bishops urged the Government to strengthen law enforcement and impose severe penalties on those engaged in illegal mining activities.They recommended investing in sustainable development projects to provide alternative livelihoods for communities affected by 'galamsey'.'This requires a multi-pronged approach that tackles the root causes of galamsey, including poverty, corruption, and lack of access to education,' the statement added.The Anglican Bishops also called on mining companies, traditional leaders, and civil society organizations to collaborate in combating the galamsey menace while encouraging Ghanaians to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives and reject any form of environmental exploitation.'The time for inaction is over. The future of our nation hangs in the balance,' they warned, and that 'We must rise to this challenge with unwavering resolve and protect God's creation for the sake of present and future generations.'The Anglican House of Bishops underscored the moral and spiritual imperative of safeguarding the environment, framing the fight against 'galamsey' as a divine mandate of the stewards of God's creation.Source: Ghana News Agency