By Francis Kwabena Cofie, GNA
Brofoyaw (C/R), Oct 16, GNA – The Catholic Conference of Major Superiors of Religious–Ghana (CMSR-GH) has held its second bi-annual meeting with a call on advocates and activists against illegal mining (galamsey) not to relent until the fight is won.
The meeting was on the theme: “Consecrated Life for Human Rights Protection and Ecological Justice.”
The Bishop of Donkorkrom Vicariate and Episcopal Vicar for Priests and Religious, The Most Reverend John Alphonse Asiedu of the Divine Word Missionaries, made the call in a goodwill message at the conference held at Brofoyaw in Cape Coast, in the Central Region.
He urged stakeholders to sustain the campaign against illegal mining and intensify their efforts until perpetrators heed the call to stop the destruction of lives and the environment.
Most Rev Asiedu said having identified the ills of ecological destruction, consecrated men and women of God must not only advocate change but take practical steps to protect the environment.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast, The Most Reverend Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, admonished participants to be steadfast in their faith and remain pilgrims of hope wherever they serve.
He encouraged them to deliberate on issues in a Christ-like manner as consecrated men and women of God.
The President of CMSR-GH, Rev Father Paul Saa-Dade Ennin, recalled that a year ago, the Conference launched its Jubilee Year of Hope celebration, dedicating it to environmental protection and care for creation.
He said consecrated persons, together with other stakeholders, were mobilised nationwide to speak against the reckless destruction of forests, water bodies and ecosystems through illegal mining activities.
“During this Jubilee Year of Hope, we have remained firm in our commitment to protecting the planet and promoting ecological justice,” he stated.
He added: “Even though the battle is not over, we can rejoice at the many more passionate voices speaking out against the galamsey menace and putting government on its toes to fulfil its mandate of protecting the land and its people.”
In a message read on his behalf, the Member of Parliament for Madina, Mr Francis Xavier Sosu, described galamsey as a major threat to inter-generational equity, warning that those benefitting from the land today must not act in ways that undermine the values due future generations.
He expressed the hope that with the combined efforts of programmes and projects by President Mahama, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the menace of galamsey would be overcome in due course.
Mr Sosu suggested that one effective approach was sustained stakeholder engagement with miners to impress upon them the devastating effects of their actions.
Friar Joseph Blay, OFM Conventual and a guest speaker, said the purpose of the event was to raise awareness of the role of the religious as advocates rather than activists.
He observed that Ghana’s prolonged struggle with galamsey stemmed from weak leadership and the lack of political will to enforce environmental laws, particularly those governing mining.
According to Fr Blay, under Ghana’s laws, no individual has the right to sell land for gold, citing Acts 703 and 995 of the Constitution, which state that all minerals in Ghana are held in trust by the President.
He rejected the narrative that chiefs were responsible for selling land for gold, noting that the law grants no one such authority.
Fr Blay reminded Christians of their God-given duty to protect the poor and the environment, a responsibility all believers must uphold.
He also urged the public to demonstrate civic responsibility by avoiding littering and maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei/ Beatrice Asamani Savage