Founder and General Overseer of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has raised concerns over the devastating impact of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, warning that the destruction could seriously affect future generations of Ghanaians.
According to him, the continued destruction of the country’s water bodies and farmlands is putting Ghana’s food production, natural resources and the well-being of children and grandchildren at risk.
Speaking during a church service on Sunday, August 16, Archbishop Duncan-Williams said he was increasingly worried about how the country was managing its natural resources and the long-term consequences of environmental degradation.
“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,” he added.
The Archbishop stressed that galamsey should not be treated merely as a problem affecting the present generation, warning that the destruction of water bodies and agricultural lands could leave a lasting burden on generations yet unborn.
He also expressed concern about the politicisation of efforts to enforce laws against illegal mining, arguing that political considerations have often made it difficult for authorities to take decisive action.
“If anybody tries to make it work and enforce the law, we turn everything to politics,” he said.
He further argued that some political leaders may hesitate to enforce the law strictly because of fears that doing so could cost them votes or parliamentary seats.
“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 subsequently called for prayers for Ghana, indicating that he intends to devote more time to intercession because of his concerns about the country’s future.
