Founder and General Overseer of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has warned that the continued destruction caused by illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, could seriously affect the future of Ghana’s children and grandchildren.
He said illegal mining is destroying the country’s rivers, other water bodies and farmlands. According to him, the situation could also affect food production and the lives of future generations.
Speaking during a church service on Sunday, August 16, Archbishop Duncan-Williams said he was worried about how Ghana was managing its natural resources and the damage being done to the environment.
“I take time to study history a lot, and some things are bothering me and one of them is how we are managing the future of our children and our grandchildren when it comes to our water bodies, when it comes to the land that produces crops and the food we eat,” he said.
“We are poisoning the land. There are so many things we are doing.”
The Archbishop said the effects of galamsey should not be seen as a problem that affects only people living today.
He explained that the destruction of rivers and farmland could have serious consequences for generations that have not yet been born.
He also criticised the way illegal mining has become a political issue, saying political interests have made it difficult for authorities to properly enforce the law.
“If anybody tries to make it work and enforce the law, we turn everything to politics,” he said.
According to him, some politicians may be unwilling to take strong action against illegal mining because they fear losing votes or their seats in Parliament.
“And so because people don’t want to lose their seat in parliament, or they don’t want their party to lose, they give in and allow lawlessness to continue,” he said.
Archbishop Duncan-Williams therefore called on Ghanaians to pray for the country.
He said he plans to spend more time praying for Ghana because of his concerns about the country’s natural resources and what the current situation could mean for future generations.
