Catholic Archdiocese Of Accra March To Demand End To Galamsey

The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra held a protest walk on October 11, 2024, against illegal mining, or galamsey. The event followed a “Service of Preparation” at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, which attracted a large turnout of Catholic worshippers, environmental activists, and members of the “Crusaders Against Galamsey” group.

During the service, Rev. Father Godwin Fiawoyi called on divine intervention to combat the environmental degradation caused by galamsey, urging the congregation to stay committed to protecting Ghana’s natural resources.

The protest walk, which was  supported by police presence, included demonstrators holding placards calling for an end to illegal mining activities.

Emmanuel Wilson Jnr., the chief crusader of the “Crusaders Against Galamsey,” expressed concerns over the temporary measures implemented by the government, such as military intervention and the involvement of the small-scale miners’ association. He stressed that a complete halt to all mining activities was necessary for safeguarding the environment.

The protest is part of wider efforts by civil society and religious groups to combat the growing environmental challenges posed by illegal mining.