The Pentecostal Church of Christ in the Asante Akyem South District has made a passionate appeal to both government and citizens to join forces in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The appeal was made during the church’s homecoming service, where Senior Ordained Pastor Twum Barima expressed deep concern over the alarming destruction caused by illegal mining, particularly in the Ofoase area.
According to him, galamsey activities have polluted waterbodies, degraded fertile farmlands, and wiped out vast portions of virgin forest that once provided food, shelter, and economic livelihood for the people. “We cannot continue to watch silently while our rivers are poisoned with mercury, our forests cut down, and our lands rendered useless. Everyone has a role to play in halting galamsey, and if we rise together as one people, the government will be encouraged to act more decisively,” Pastor Barima said.
He cautioned that the effects of galamsey extend beyond environmental destruction, warning that food insecurity, health crises, and increased poverty will worsen if the menace is not addressed urgently.
Pastor Twum Barima urged the congregation to treat the fight against galamsey as both a spiritual and civic duty, stressing that protecting God’s creation was a shared responsibility that must unite all Ghanaians, regardless of political or religious background.
On his part, Rev. Atta Bannor, Chairman of the Council of Churches in the Asante Akyem South District, also encouraged citizens to take a proactive role by reporting illegal mining activities to traditional leaders in their communities, so that a united front can be built against the menace.
The homecoming service, which brought together church members and community leaders, thus became not only a spiritual gathering but also a strong platform for advocacy on environmental protection and social responsibility.
