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Credit: Channel One TV
The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, has called on the government to demonstrate the political will necessary to decisively tackle illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
According to him, the government has both the authority and capacity to deal with the menace, which he said continues to devastate mining communities, pollute water bodies and impose significant financial costs on the state through the treatment of contaminated water.
Speaking in an interview with Bernard Avle on Channel One TV’s The Point of View on Wednesday, August 26, Rt. Rev. Dr Kwakye said stronger and more decisive action was urgently required.
“All of us are aware that this nation is in a direction that is not going to help us. The communities where mining is taking place are getting destroyed. And our waters are polluted. And we spend huge amounts of money to treat water,” he said.
“I think that government has the political power. It also has the might to crush galamsey. If government wants to crush galamsey, government is able to.”
He said the Presbyterian Church had consistently spoken out against the environmental and social consequences of illegal mining and would continue to use its platform to push for action.
The Moderator cited the Church’s recent annual symposium in Tarkwa in the Western Region as part of its advocacy efforts. He explained that the decision to hold the event in the mining community, rather than Accra, was intended to give participants an opportunity to witness the impact of galamsey firsthand and engage with the challenges facing affected communities.
The National Red Sunday campaign, held shortly after the symposium, also provided another opportunity for the Church to draw attention to the consequences of illegal mining.
Rt. Rev. Dr Kwakye appealed for a collective national response, warning that the effects of galamsey extend beyond mining communities.
“I pray that this nation will rise up together. It looks like we are not angry enough to deal with it. Whatever the problems, let’s deal with galamsey because it affects me. It affects you,” he said.
He noted that although illegal mining may not be taking place directly in Accra, residents of the capital and other parts of the country still bear the consequences through polluted water bodies and environmental degradation.
“We sit in Accra, there’s no galamsey going on here, but we are all reaping from what is happening in these places,” he added.
Church calls for bipartisan response
The Presbyterian Moderator also urged political parties to set aside partisan considerations and adopt a united approach to combating illegal mining.
He stressed that the Church’s advocacy was not directed at any particular political administration, noting that its primary concern was the welfare and development of the country.
“We are not partisan. We are looking at the welfare and development of our nation,” he said.
Rt. Rev. Dr Kwakye pointed out that the Presbyterian Church began its National Red Sunday campaign in 2024, when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was in opposition, as evidence that its position on galamsey was not politically motivated.
He said the Church would continue to speak against illegal mining regardless of which party was in power.
“What we are seeking is for this nation to do what is right. And for this nation to be united. And that is why we are asking for a bipartisan approach. It’s important that we save ourselves,” he stated.
He further argued that the environmental consequences of illegal mining affect everyone regardless of political affiliation.
“The water that is polluted does not ask whether your lips are NDC or New Patriotic Party. They don’t seek your partisan colours,” he said.
He therefore called on political leaders, civil society and citizens to work together to address the crisis.
‘I want results, not just a state of emergency’
Rt. Rev. Dr Kwakye also expressed caution over calls for the government to declare a state of emergency to deal with galamsey.
He said he was more interested in measurable results than the adoption of any particular policy measure.
“I think it’s getting worse when people say they want a state of emergency. I personally, I do not know what they mean. A state of emergency might be declared, and it may not yield fruit,” he said.
The Moderator maintained that the priority should be effective enforcement capable of reducing illegal mining and reversing the environmental damage caused by the practice.
He stressed that any intervention adopted by the government must ultimately produce tangible results for affected communities and the country as a whole.