Ghanaians have been reminded of their mandate to keep the environment and be responsible stewards of same as biblically stated in Genesis 2:15.
“We therefore call on individuals, civil society, religious and traditional institutions and all other well-meaning Ghanaians to stand up to the challenge and work to preserve our environment from the menace of galamsey. We admonish opinion leaders and the youth in our communities to speak up and report illegal mining activities in their localities to the relevant authorities.”
The call was made in Accra October 17 by the leadership of the Christian Ecumenical Bodies in Ghana, who urged urge pastors and other faith leaders to use their pulpits to preach against evils of galamsey in our country.
The leaders coming from the Christian Council of Ghana, Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, Office of the National Chief Imam and Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, Ghana, National Association of Charismatic and Christian Churches and others said though they appreciate President Akufo Addo’s call to end galamsey, “the facts of the results of his government’s efforts on the ground indicate that more can and ought to be done.”
“We believe that Parliamentarians, Ministers of State, Municipal Chief Executives, District Chief Executives, Assemblymen and women and other government agents in the localities cannot claim ignorance of the people who are involved in galamsey and the places where these detestable acts are carried out.”
According to them, a recent documentary produced by the Multimedia Group and previous documentaries on galamsey had shown how some law enforcement agents provide security and protection for the illegal miners instead of protecting the interest of Ghana.
“This is the time to put Ghana first, beyond political party affiliations and personal gains in order to secure a better future for our children, this is the whole basis of sustainable development. The adverse impacts of galamsey are seriously undermining our collective national efforts to achieve our sustainable development goals,” the Religious leaders emphasised.
They were of the view that “Traditionally, our Chiefs and Queens hold the ancestral lands in trust for their citizens. As custodians of our lands and cultural heritage, they are spiritually bound to protect the lands inherited from their predecessors.”
Source: Newswatchgh.com
