The Catholic Church of the Accra Archdiocese, in collaboration with the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious in Ghana, will lead a large-scale prayer protest next week to combat the destructive effects of galamsey (illegal mining) in Ghana. This initiative, scheduled for Friday, October 11, 2024, aims to unite Ghanaians from all walks of life in both prayer and public action to address the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining.
The protest will involve more than 50 organizations that have previously expressed concerns over galamsey. The event will combine prayer sessions with public demonstrations, with participants marching through the streets, carrying placards to voice their grievances.
In a statement, the organisers stressed the need for spiritual intervention, urging citizens to “call on God to do what we cannot do as humans to intervene in this galamsey fight.” The church emphasized that while prayer is vital, human effort is also necessary to push the government to take stronger action. “While we as human beings also do our bit to get the government to do the needful to stop galamsey, we must not forget the power of prayer,” the statement added.
The prayer protest will end with petitions being presented to key national figures, including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, and Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. The event will conclude with a solemn Episcopal Mass led by His Grace, the Archbishop of Accra, as the main celebrant.
Organizers are calling on all Ghanaians to join the movement to “pray and petition to stop galamsey immediately.” This significant religious and social event emphasizes both the spiritual and civic responsibilities of the nation in combating illegal mining.
