The Ghana Evangelical Missions Association (GEMA) is calling on pastors and church leaders to mobilize their congregations against galamsey, a practice that has been linked to environmental degradation and health problems. GEMA President Dr. Kofi Aligya made the appeal at the Lausanne Workplace Forum in Gomoa Fetteh, an event that brought together Christian leaders from various denominations and countries.
According to Dr. Aligya, the church has been worried about galamsey for too long without taking concrete action, and expressions of concern alone are not enough. He urged church leaders to actively preach against galamsey in their congregations, rather than simply commenting on it publicly. This call to action is part of a broader effort to address the galamsey crisis, which has had a significant impact on Ghana's environment and public health.
Galamsey, the local term for illegal small-scale mining, has been blamed for polluting major rivers, destroying farmland and forest reserves, and contributing to a rise in kidney-related illnesses. The practice has also been linked to the destruction of water sources, which has serious implications for communities that rely on rivers for drinking water and farming.
GEMA's intervention adds the voice of organized Christian leadership to a growing list of civil society actors who have pushed back against illegal mining in recent years. Coalition groups have staged public protests demanding tougher government action, and there are calls for the government to intensify enforcement against galamsey.
Dr. Aligya also appealed directly to the government to take action against galamsey, asking authorities to do whatever is possible to defeat the practice and protect both the environment and human lives. Churches carry significant social influence in Ghana, and GEMA's push suggests that religious leaders believe they can shape public attitudes toward illegal mining in communities where enforcement and civic campaigns alone have struggled to change behavior.
The practical stakes remain high for ordinary Ghanaians, particularly those in mining-affected regions. The safety of water sources and the health consequences tied to contaminated environments are major concerns. While the sources do not provide a timeline for how or when GEMA's call to churches will translate into organized action, it is clear that the issue of galamsey will continue to be a major challenge for Ghana.
The call from GEMA comes at a time when Ghana continues to grapple with the environmental and health fallout of galamsey. Recently, a mining firm alleged that an armed raid had left one person dead and gold worth GH¢100 million missing.
Key points
- Churches in Ghana are being urged to use their pulpits to speak out against illegal mining.
- Galamsey has been linked to environmental degradation and health problems in Ghana.
- The Ghana Evangelical Missions Association is calling on the government to intensify enforcement against galamsey.
