The Accra Anglican Diocese has sounded an urgent alarm over the devastating impact of illegal mining, known as galamsey, on the environment, communities, and public health, stressing that the crisis can no longer be ignored.
During a six-hour campaign against illegal mining on Channel One TV, dubbed 'I Stand Against Galamsey,' Reverend Canon Dr.
Patrick Okaijah-Bortier, a Parish Priest at St.
Andrew Anglican Church, spoke on behalf of the Diocese.
He called for immediate collective action from Ghanaians, urging citizens to acknowledge the severity of the problem.
He emphasized that turning a blind eye to the destruction caused by galamsey is self-deception. "As citizens, if we say we do not know the devastating effect of galamsey on our environment, our water sources, our communities and our health then we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. "But we are indeed stewards of God's earth and then we must stop the afforestation, soil erosion and water pollution that has been caused by illegal mining.
Rev.
Okaijah-Bortier further highlighted the need to protect the lives of miners, many of whom are children at risk of injury or death.
He condemned the actions of leaders who sponsor illegal mining, saying their involvement undermines the rule of law, promotes corruption, and erodes public trust in institutions. "We also have a responsibility to protect the lives of miners many of whom are children who are at risk of injury and death.
We cannot remain mute while illegal mining, many of which are sponsored by our own leaders, continues to undermine the rule of law and perpetuate corruption.
These erodes trust in our institution and hinder sustainable development," he stated.