Prophetess Anita Emefa Addai of Eagle Aura Obotantim Spiritual Center Calls on Government to Join Forces with Otumfuo and Traditional Leaders to End Galamsey
The Founder and General Overseer of the Eagle Aura Obotantim Spiritual Center at Abuakwa in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality of the Ashanti Region, Prophetess Anita Emefa Addai, has called on President John Dramani Mahama and his government to join forces with His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, paramount chiefs, queen mothers, and other traditional leaders to effectively combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, which continues to destroy Ghana’s environment.
Speaking with journalists during an exclusive interview, Prophetess Anita Emefa Addai explained that the government’s power alone cannot win the fight against galamsey unless traditional authorities — the rightful custodians of the land — are fully involved. She said traditional rulers, led by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, possess both the moral and spiritual authority to enforce discipline within their communities and prevent miners from invading water bodies and farmlands.
She noted that successive governments over the years have failed to completely eliminate illegal mining because they have sidelined the very leaders who command respect and obedience at the grassroots level. Prophetess Addai stressed that President Mahama’s administration stands a better chance of success if it works in partnership with the traditional institutions, especially the Asantehene, paramount chiefs, and queen mothers across the country.
The spiritual leader, affectionately known as Eagle Aura Obotantim, added that the galamsey menace is not only a physical or environmental issue but also a deeply spiritual one. According to her, many of Ghana’s rivers and water bodies have lost their sacredness because people no longer show respect to the spirits believed to dwell in them.
She lamented that, in times past, communities revered rivers and never dared to pollute them. However, in recent years, teachings from some modern religious leaders have eroded this sense of reverence. Prophetess Addai explained that some pastors condemn beliefs in river spirits and discourage people from showing respect to natural elements, which has led to a growing disregard for water bodies.
She observed that while people fear to throw waste into churches, they have no hesitation in dumping refuse into rivers that serve as sources of drinking water and irrigation. This, she said, is evidence of how misplaced teachings have contributed to the desecration of Ghana’s natural environment.
Prophetess Anita Emefa Addai warned that the continued neglect and disrespect of rivers and water bodies could attract calamities such as accidents, fires, and mysterious deaths. She urged religious leaders to strike a balance between faith and environmental stewardship by teaching their congregations to respect and protect water bodies that sustain life.
She also appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to work closely with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, paramount chiefs, and queen mothers to lead a united national campaign against illegal mining. According to her, the Asantehene and traditional leaders hold the key to mobilizing communities to stop activities that destroy the environment.
Prophetess Addai concluded by saying that protecting Ghana’s natural resources requires both spiritual and traditional collaboration. She emphasized that if the government, traditional authorities, and spiritual leaders work together with a common purpose, the nation can restore the purity of its rivers, safeguard the environment, and secure a sustainable future for generations yet unborn.
