The Methodist Church Ghana has renewed its call for urgent and sustained action against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, warning that the destruction of farmlands and pollution of water bodies pose a growing threat to Ghana’s future.
Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev. Prof. Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, said religious institutions could no longer remain on the sidelines as environmental degradation continues to affect communities across the country.
He urged churches and other faith-based organisations to move beyond advocacy and take practical steps to protect Ghana’s natural resources.
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Most Rev. Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu made the call at the opening of the 52nd Conference of the Methodist Church Ghana in 2026.
The Presiding Bishop said the destruction caused by illegal mining, particularly the loss of arable land and contamination of water bodies, should be treated as a matter of collective national responsibility.
He also linked the recent devastating floods to what he described as shortcomings in the way Christians have approached environmental stewardship.
“The recent, devastating deluge in the country exposed the inadequate conception of Christian stewardship and responsibility that we have worked with,” he said.
His comments come amid growing concerns over the impact of illegal mining on Ghana’s forests, agricultural lands and major water bodies.
Most Rev. Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu stressed that the Church’s commitment to environmental protection must translate into measurable results rather than remain at the level of statements and declarations.
He urged religious organisations to examine the effectiveness of their interventions and ensure that their vision and mission statements lead to concrete action.
“Our vision and mission statements must not remain empty slogans; we must pray about them, work towards them, and consciously look out for measurable outcomes on how effective we have been in the discharge of our duties as a church,” he said.
He consequently called on religious bodies to intensify advocacy and practical interventions to protect Ghana’s water bodies and farmlands.
The Methodist Church Ghana also urged faith-based organisations to promote responsible stewardship of the country’s natural resources as part of their broader social and spiritual responsibilities.
The renewed call adds the voice of one of Ghana’s major Christian denominations to growing demands for stronger and sustained measures to tackle galamsey and its devastating environmental impact.