The Brong Ahafo Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana has renewed its call for decisive action against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, citing its devastating impact on the environment and the future of the country.
The Presbytery Chairperson, Rev. Benjamin Appiah, said the church organized its Red Sunday program to demonstrate its displeasure over galamsey and other activities that continue to degrade lands and pollute water bodies across the country.
According to him, the rate at which Ghana’s natural resources are being destroyed poses a serious threat to future generations, who may inherit a country with depleted lands and polluted water sources if urgent action is not taken.
Speaking on the rationale behind the program, Rev. Appiah expressed concern over the increasing incidence of flooding in many parts of the country, attributing the situation partly to environmental degradation.
He noted that even minor rainfall events now result in severe flooding, causing the loss of lives and property, a situation he described as worrying.
”We organized the Red Sunday program to express our displeasure over galamsey and other activities that are destroying our lands and water bodies. Considering the rate at which our lands are being degraded and our water bodies polluted, future generations may inherit a country with little or nothing of value left for them.
”Flooding is increasingly becoming common in the country. Even the slightest rainfall now causes severe flooding, leading to the loss of lives and property. This should not be the case. It is for this reason that the church deemed it necessary to organize the Red Sunday program and call on government and all relevant stakeholders to implement concrete measures to protect our lands and water bodies.”
Rev. Benjamin Appiah stressed that the fight against galamsey requires a collective effort, emphasizing that no individual or institution can tackle the challenge alone.
He therefore called on all citizens to support efforts aimed at protecting the environment, noting that the consequences of illegal mining affect everyone regardless of their social or economic status.
The Presbytery Chairperson further advocated intensified public education on the dangers associated with galamsey and the need to promote attitudinal change among citizens.
”Everyone must play a role in the fight against galamsey because its effects impact all of us. No single individual can win this battle alone.
”We must intensify public awareness on the dangers of galamsey and promote attitudinal change, as this remains the surest way to win the fight against the menace.”
According to him, creating widespread awareness and encouraging responsible environmental practices remain the surest ways of winning the fight against illegal mining.
As part of its next steps, Rev. Appiah disclosed that the Presbyterian Church will intensify education and advocacy programs both within and outside the church to raise awareness about the harmful effects of galamsey and mobilize support for efforts to eliminate the menace.
”As a next step, the church will intensify education and advocacy both within and outside the church on the dangers of galamsey and the need for us, as a nation, to bring an end to it once and for all.”
He reaffirmed the church’s commitment to environmental stewardship and called on all stakeholders to work together to safeguard the country’s lands and water bodies for present and future generations.
Source: Newspyramid.com
