The founder and leader of Apostles Pentecostal Ministry International (APMI) and Ambassadors for Christ, in the Bono East Region of Ghana, Bishop Dr. Stephen Owusu Agyeman, has emphasized the need for a collaborative approach with chiefs to eradicate the galamsey menace in Ghana.
In an exclusive interview on Fabea FM with Apiah-Kubi, Bishop Agyeman stressed that government's efforts to combat galamsey will be futile without the active involvement of traditional leaders.
Ghana must stop galamsey before it sinks the country
Political interests must be set aside to prevent illegal mining from devastating the country’s forests, farmland and water system.
Illegal small-scale mining in Ghana is destroying the environment, making people ill, adding to water scarcity and damaging farmlands and crops such as cocoa.
Pristine water sources in the country have been reduced to murky, dark brown bodies due to illegal mining activities.
Ghanaians must join the fight against galamsey, stressing that it is a national issue that requires collective action.
He emphasised that the environmental degradation caused by illegal mining is a matter of great concern and must be addressed urgently.
He said Chiefs and stool landowners hold the key to solving the problem of galamsey negative impacts. He noted that the government must partner with the chiefs to prevent the destruction of Ghana's natural resources.
Bishop Agyeman lamented the devastating impact of galamsey on the environment, citing the destruction of water bodies, forests, and fertile lands. "As stewards of God's creation, we have a sacred responsibility to protect the earth and its resources. Galamsey is a human activity that threatens our very existence", he lamented.
Bishop Agyeman urged the government to engage traditional leaders in finding lasting solutions to galamsey.
"Every mining community has a chief or stool landowner. If they do not allow galamsey activities, we can prevent the destruction of our natural resources", he said.
The respected clergyman dismissed the notion that prayer alone can solve the galamsey problem. "While prayer is essential, we must take concrete actions to address this issue. God will not come down from heaven to cover the galamsey pits. We must comply with the laws of the land and work together to protect our environment", he stated.
The bishop therefore call to action comes amid growing concerns about the environmental, economic and social implications of galamsey.
The practice has polluted water sources, destroyed agricultural lands, and displaced communities.
In response to the crisis, Bishop Agyeman recommended that enforcement of laws and regulations needed to be complied.
He stated that both the government and citizens must work together to restore Ghana's water bodies and natural resources to their former glory, ensuring a sustainable future for the country.
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