The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, in collaboration with the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious Ghana, and supported by Catholic Lay Faithful and Professionals, is set to lead an environmental protest in the form of a prayer walk today, October 11.
This protest branded the “Environmental Prayer Protest Walk Against Galamsey,” aims to shine a spotlight on the grave and lasting damage that illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, is wreaking on Ghana’s environment.
According to a press statement issued by the Archdiocese on Friday, October 4, the protest is more than just a walk. It also added that it is a clarion call for national action, urging Ghanaians from all walks of life to rise and demand an end to the menace that threatens not only the environment but also the health, livelihood, and future of millions.
The Catholic Church is leveraging its significant influence to unite not only Catholics but also people of other faiths, community leaders, civil society groups, and environmental advocates in what they hope will be a resounding message to both the government and the nation.
The primary goal of this prayer protest walk is to raise widespread awareness about the severe consequences of galamsey on Ghana’s environment, particularly its water bodies, forest reserves, and farmlands.
Illegal mining has been one of the most pressing environmental and social issues in the country, with vast stretches of rivers and forests being destroyed due to the unregulated extraction of minerals like gold.
Organisers of the protest hope to make it clear that the time for complacency is over, and they are calling for immediate, sustained action from the government.
A formal petition will be submitted requesting the government to declare a state of emergency on mining activities, especially in environmentally sensitive areas such as river buffers, forest reserves, and regions surrounding major water bodies.
This bold demand underscores the urgency of the situation, as many of Ghana’s rivers, including major sources of drinking water like the Pra and Ankobra Rivers, are heavily polluted with mercury and other toxic chemicals used in illegal mining operations.