No one is not allowed to explore the gifts that God has given us but so far, we haven’t done it with wisdom- Catholic Archdiocese of Accra

The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra and the Conference of Major Superiors of the Religious Congregations Ghana have acknowledged the recent orders from President Akufo-Addo to cease all mining operations on water bodies and forest reserves as a positive initial step in addressing illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.

However, they stress that much more action is needed to effectively combat this ongoing crisis.

On October 11, 2024, the Archdiocese organized an Environmental Prayer Walk to mobilize citizens and demand immediate government intervention against illegal mining activities.

The event aimed to raise awareness about the severe environmental degradation caused by galamsey and to advocate for stronger governmental measures.

During the walk, Reverend Father Michael Quarcoo, Director of Governance, Justice, and Peace for the Ghana Catholic Bishop Conference, who doubles as the Chaplain for Parliament, emphasized the collective responsibility to protect the environment for future generations.

“We must speak about intergenerational responsibility. If we want to sit here, we must also hope that there is a safe environment for future generations to live in,” he stated.

Father Quarcoo revealed that the Catholic Bishop Conference has submitted nine petitions to President Akufo-Addo urging decisive action against galamsey, but lamented that these appeals have largely been ignored.

He expressed gratitude for the President’s recent initiatives but insisted that they are merely a starting point in a much larger battle.

He called on President Akufo-Addo to implement effective strategies to tackle illegal mining, acknowledging his goodwill towards promoting sustainable development in Ghana.

“While we have the liberty to explore God-given resources, we must do so with wisdom,” he emphasized, noting that current practices have often lacked this critical approach.

“We are not implying that no one is not allowed to explore the gifts that God has given us, but, we have a duty before God to do that with wisdom; and so far, we haven’t done it with wisdom,” he indicated.

The Environmental Prayer Walk attracted a diverse group of participants, including Catholic worshippers, environmental activists, and members of the Crusaders Against Galamsey group.

They marched from the Holy Spirit Cathedral through key landmarks in Accra before concluding with a petition presentation at Jubilee House, urging swift government action to address the crisis.

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