The Catholic Church of the Accra Archdiocese, in collaboration with the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious in Ghana, will be leading a large-scale prayer protest next week. This initiative seeks to rally Ghanaians from all walks of life to unite in both prayer and action to end the devastation caused by galamsey.

The protest, scheduled for Friday, 11 October 2024, which is expected to draw support from over 50 organisations that have already voiced concerns over galamsey, will combine prayer with public demonstrations.

 In a statement, the organisers emphasised the spiritual dimension of the fight against illegal mining, urging citizens to “call on God to do what we cannot do as humans to intervene in this galamsey fight.”

The church also highlighted the importance of human effort in the battle against the environmental destruction caused by galamsey.

“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 noted.

Participants will march through the streets with placards, expressing their concerns about the ongoing crisis.

The event will culminate in the presentation of petitions to key national figures, including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, and Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

The protest will end with a solemn Episcopal Mass led by His Grace, the Archbishop of Accra, as the main celebrant.

Organisers are calling on all Ghanaians to join the movement and “pray and petition to stop galamsey immediately.”

Source: classfmonline.com

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Subin, Eugene Boakye Antwi, has called on President Akufo-Addo to take decisive action against government officials who have failed to effectively combat the galamsey menace. His appeal comes amidst growing frustration over the government’s inability to curb illegal mining activities that have wreaked havoc on the environment and local communities.

Speaking in an interview with JoyNews on Thursday, October 3, Mr Antwi stressed the detrimental impact of galamsey on the nation’s water bodies, forests, and agricultural lands.

He insisted that the continued degradation of the environment poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of many Ghanaians, particularly those in rural areas dependent on these resources for their survival.

The lawmaker’s remarks resonate with the concerns of many citizens who are increasingly disillusioned with the government’s efforts to address the issue.

Mr Antwi specifically pointed out that certain government officials have not only failed to implement existing policies effectively but have also allowed illegal mining operations to flourish under their watch.

He believes that accountability is crucial and that officials who are not performing their duties should be held responsible for their inaction.

The MP urged the President to consider their dismissal as a necessary step toward restoring public trust and demonstrating a genuine commitment to tackling the galamsey crisis.

“If we know the people doing the illegal mining, if they are party people or political opponents, let’s walk in there and get them arrested and make them face the law. This party will be better served in government than in opposition because of the corrupt or illegal position of certain employees.”

“We are not going to condone it. I am an NPP person and I am not going to sit here and condone an illegality. Something that I have not been part of, why should I come and support or defend it,” he insisted.

The Subin MP’s view contradicts that of other NPP MPs who believe that any attempt to deal with galamsey at this time will cause the party to lose votes in the impending general elections.

By: Ernest K. Arhinful  

A former director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansah-Asare, has urged Organised Labour to disregard President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s appeal to call off its planned nationwide strike against illegal mining.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo appealed to Organised Labour to reconsider its planned strike scheduled for October 10, emphasising his commitment to addressing their concerns regarding illegal mining, which is wreaking havoc on Ghana’s environment.

The president made the appeal during a closed-door meeting on Thursday, October 3, with Organised Labour’s leaders, where the urgent need for decisive action against illegal mining was a central topic of discussion.

Ansah-Asare criticised Akufo-Addo for failing to follow through on his promise to put his presidency on the line in the fight against the galamsey menace, citing a lack of sincerity in addressing the issue.

“On assumption of office, he said he would put his presidency on the line and said should he fail the galamsey fight, he would pay for it. We have asked him to apologise but he hasn’t apologised.

“He has only eight weeks [to end his tenure] and by now, he should have allowed his vice, Dr. Bawumia to assume the reigns of government. He shouldn’t be asking organised labour to do anything.

“He has not been sincere. You will not keep any promise that you give within the next eight weeks. So as far as I am concerned, organised labour should proceed with the timetable.”

By: Nii Ayikwei Okine

The National Communication Director for the Zongo Caucus of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Mohammed Naziru Seidu, has stated categorically that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will not win in any of the Zongo communities in the upcoming elections. He asserted that the candidate of the NDC, former President John Dramani Mahama, will sweep all the Zongo communities.

In a statement made on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM’s Nyankonton Mu Nsem, he made a striking declaration, volunteering to have his head cut off should the Vice President triumph in a single Zongo community. When he was told this was an extreme political talk, he insisted that if Dr. Bawumia wins in a single Zongo community, his head should be cut off. He posited that it was obvious that Mr. Mahama has been ordained by God to be elected as the next president of Ghana, and his victory would be massive.

He noted that prophets who had earlier prophesied against Mahama’s election win have now come up with a new prophecy, predicting his election as the next president. Alhaji Mohammed Naziru Seidu lamented that the ruling government, under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo with support from his vice president, has destroyed not only the country’s economy but all state institutions, religion, and our environment with galamsey.

The President Akufo-Addo and Bawumia administration, has not only destroyed our economy. They have also not destroyed our country with galamsey, but they have destroyed this country through religion. They want to divide this country through religion by making divisive religious comments. But I am telling you before God and man that if Bawumia is able to secure victory in one single Zongo community in Ghana, cut off my head. I repeat, if Bawumia is able to secure victory in one Zongo community in Ghana, cut off my head,’’ he declared.

He added, ‘’I know the work we have done and what we are still doing. We know the promises and focus of the Zongo communities. We know the challenges they are going through. We know what they have told us, and we know we will convince them to vote for former President John Dramani Mahama. That is why I have said that if Bawumia secures victory in one Zongo community, cut off my head’’.

By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana