By: Bright Ntramah
President Akufo-Addo has welcomed concerns raised by leaders of religious bodies on the devastating state of river bodies and forest reserves as a result of illegal mining known as galamsey in several parts of the country, describing their support for the fight as apt.
President Akufo-Addo stated this when religious leaders from the Christian Council of Ghana, Ghana Pentecostal Council, Ghana Charismatic and Pentecostal Council, the Catholic Bishops Conference and the National Muslim Council, paid a courtesy call on him at the Jubilee House.
He said the ongoing discourse on galamsey during his term in office demonstrates that the entire nation is poised to eradicate illegal mining in the country.
The visit of the religious leaders is a follow-up to a press statement they issued on the 17th of October, 2022 demanding a total ban on illegal mining in the country.
President Akufo-Addo expressed his appreciation to the leaders for their interest in supporting the government’s efforts aimed at dealing with the galamsey menace.
”I’m happy…in my time this issue of galamsey is brought to my notice…public discourse…and the dangers it causes…every body is now awake to this …so I’m happy about it’’, the President stated.
The delegation to Jubilee House, was led by the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Professor J.O.Y Mante.
He spoke of why the religious community had to join the conversation to eradicate galamsey.
”We have visited galamsey sites…one of the things we saw…was the eye sore…We have a big worry because his Excellency you put your Presidency on the line…so far as galamsey is concerned,’’ Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Professor J.O.Y Mante observed.
