Accra: The Christian Council of Ghana has pledged its support to the government's efforts to combat illegal mining. Reverend Dr Hilliard Dela Dogbe, the Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, reiterated the troubling nature of illegal mining during a courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama at the Presidency in Accra.
According to Ghana News Agency, Rev Dr Dogbe congratulated President Mahama on his victory in the December 7, 2024 general election and assured him of the Council's support for his administration. Rev Dr Dogbe emphasized the Council's commitment to prayer and physical support, urging the President to take the threat of illegal mining seriously. He acknowledged the involvement of church members in illegal mining and highlighted the Council's responsibility to educate them, while calling on political leaders to exercise their authority in curbing the menace.
Rev Dr Dogbe noted that the Council had been organizing ethical leadership conferences over the past two years, aimed at empowering people for leadership and upholding ethical standards. He expressed hopes for continued collaboration with the government to address the nation's challenges.
President Mahama reiterated the government's commitment to addressing illegal mining, known as galamsey, in the country. He instructed the anti-galamsey task force to confiscate rather than destroy excavators used in illegal mining within forest reserves. The task force had already conducted an operation in the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve and planned to continue efforts in other reserves. A mobile team was on standby to alert the task force to any illegal mining activities in forest reserves.
