The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) has called on the government to deploy more military personnel, police officers and specialised security agencies to intensify the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The Council said stronger law enforcement is necessary to protect Ghana’s water bodies and farmlands from the devastating effects of illegal mining, warning that public education and dialogue alone would not end the menace.
The Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Enoch Nii Narh Thompson, said the fight against galamsey must be backed by decisive action to ensure that existing laws are enforced.
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Speaking to Citi News, Rev. Thompson, who is also the Executive President of the Ghana Baptist Convention, described illegal mining as both an environmental and public health concern that requires the active involvement of the Church.
“If the water bodies that the people drink from are polluted, and the soil is poisoned, it is a business of the Church,” he said.
Rev. Thompson disclosed that the Christian Council has engaged the government on the galamsey crisis on several occasions, including meetings with President John Dramani Mahama.
“The way forward is for policymakers and implementers to use the resources available to them to tackle the issues head-on. The use of the military, the police and specialised agencies must be increased. More people must be engaged to serve in those areas,” he said.
The Council chairman stressed that while engagement with communities remains important, it must be accompanied by firm enforcement of the law to deter offenders and bring illegal mining to an end.
“Whilst we talk with people, we must also enforce the laws so that the menace can be brought to an end,” he added.
The Council urged the government to strengthen enforcement measures and ensure that resources are available to security agencies tasked with protecting the country’s environment.
CNR