The Chief of Akyem Wenkyi in the Birim Central Municipality, Daasebre Dr. Nyarko Asumadu Appiah has urged pastors to use their pulpits to preach against illegal mining, “galamsey” to save the environment and protect water bodies.
He said Christians should take advantage of their larger constituency to embark on sensitisation activities to encourage their followers to desist from this evil act because Galamsey is a sin against God’s Creation.
The Chief made the call during an Ecological Integrity Campaign programme organised by the Young People’s Guild (YPG) of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Akyem Wenkyi.
Daasebre Appiah informed the gathering that almost all water bodies in Ghana have been destroyed causing health risks to humans due to illegal mining activities.
“Water is life, so there is the need for all and sundry to protect our water bodies for future use,” he said.
He encouraged students and the youth in the community and the country at large to take advantage of the various government education and skills development flagship programmes to protect their dreams and develop themselves for the future.
He also advised his colleague chiefs and all stakeholders to collectively fight against this scourge.
The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Right Reverend Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye lauded the initiative of the youth and charged all and sundry to contribute effectively to the campaign.
He encouraged the entire membership of the Church to join the youth in this vital mission.
Rt. Rev. Kwakye said: “Let us all care for God’s creation, support environmental actions, and champion sustainability in our daily lives. This is not just an environmental cause; it is a core component of our mission as a Church.
“We are called to be stewards of the earth, to protect and preserve the beauty and diversity of God’s creation.”
He said: “Illegal mining has devastating effects on our environment, our communities, and our future. It pollutes our rivers, destroys our forests, and threatens the health and livelihoods of our people.
“By standing up against these destructive practices, we are protecting God’s creation and ensuring that it can be enjoyed by future generations.
Rt. Rev. Kwakye, therefore, called on all actors to be committed to making a significant impact in the fight against illegal mining and in promoting environmental sustainability.
This partnership, he noted, strengthens the efforts and brings together the shared values and resources to better care for the environment.
Mr. Edwin Osei Ahwireng , the National President of the Young People’s Guild, said the initiative, would go a long way to complement the call by various stakeholders to curb the menace.
According to him, illegal mining has become more attractive to the youth and at the same time endangering their lives, yet due to the attractive nature of the daily revenue they derived, they found it difficult to stop the illegal activity.
He encouraged the youth to develop a more sustainable development pathway to secure a healthy environment and sustainable future for all Ghanaians.
Source: GNA
