The founder of Perez Chapel International Archbishop Charles Agyinasare took a strong stand against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, accusing Ghanaian political leaders and citizens of failing to protect the environment.
Speaking candidly, Archbishop Agyinasare did not mince words as he criticized leaders for prioritizing short-term gains over the long-term well-being of the country. “People of my generation, what are we leaving for our children and our children’s children? We are destroying everything.
We are not accountable, we are not responsible, and we are not taking charge of the situation. We are destroying the land,” he warned.
The Archbishop, who was recently inducted as the President of the Bible Society, made it clear that Ghana’s galamsey menace is eroding the nation’s future. He pointed out that illegal mining is not only degrading the land but also impacting Ghana’s economy and health. Once a world leader in cocoa production, Ghana is now facing challenges as some of its cocoa is deemed unsafe for consumption due to mercury contamination.
Shockingly, buyers are starting to prefer cocoa from China over Ghana’s, a situation Archbishop Charles Agyinasare attributes to the destructive impact of galamsey.
Agyinasare went on to describe the far-reaching consequences of illegal mining, sharing alarming reports of children born with severe health conditions near mining sites, including cases of missing body parts.
His sermon highlighted the tragic irony that while rivers in gold-rich nations like Russia and Canada remain untouched due to strong leadership and environmental stewardship, Ghana’s rivers are being destroyed by both foreign and local illegal miners.
“There is coming a time when even the fish we eat, we can’t eat it anymore,” he warned, urging both leadership and citizens to take immediate action.
Archbishop Charles Agyinasare emphasized the importance of stewardship, reminding the congregation that as followers of Christ, Ghanaians have a duty to protect God’s creation.
He also offered a glimmer of hope, stating that it is possible to reclaim and restore galamsey-affected lands if decisive action is taken early.
The Archbishop’s sermon comes at a critical time when various stakeholders are calling for a concerted effort to end galamsey, a practice that has ravaged Ghana’s environment and compromised public health.
By adding his voice to the growing chorus of concern, Archbishop Agyinasare is calling for a collective awakening to the dangers of illegal mining and the urgent need for responsible leadership and citizen action.
Source: MyJoyonline
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https://www.myjoyonline.com/archbishop-agyinasare-hits-hard-at-leadership-over-galamsey-menace/
