Galamsey: Christian Bodies to lead the fight, starts with red armband on Sunday October 23

Churches in Ghana will on Sunday October 23, 2022 wear red banners to register their displeasure over the devastating effects illegal mining popularly known as galamsey

The move according to them is part of their planned demonstration against government and other authorities mandated to halt illegal mining but have failed to do so.

President, Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso speaking on the Kumasi based OTEC 102.9 FM’s breakfast show, “Nyansapo” on Thursday October 20, 2022, said they will mobilize its members to embark on a massive protest to drum home their displeasure over the devastation caused by illegal mining.

“The government and authorities in charge of regulating these mining activities have consistently failed the country and so the church is now ready to lead the fight”

“We are leading the fight; the fight is in four phases. First, accepting our challenges and weaknesses, pledging that we won’t be part of it, telling the people that it is wrong [to engage in galamsey”, he told the programme’s host Captain Koda.

Prof Frimpong Manso however disclosed that, the churches will soon come out with a specific date to stage the biggest ever demonstration against illegal mining across the country

“On Sunday all our churches will hoist red flags, the members will put red banners on their hands, heads and any part of their bodies to show how unhappy the church is over the menace of galamsey”

Galamsey cites visit

The Christian Ecumenical Bodies of Ghana have denied reports that the clergy visited galamsey sites in the Eastern Region last Friday to pray against the illegal menace.

Speaking to Newsmen on Monday 17 October 2022, the president of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) Rev Prof Paul Frimpong Manso, said they went to the sites solely on a fact-finding mission.

The clergy came under severe backlash on social media over a viral video of them praying and singing praises at the sites for the illegal activities to cease.

Reacting to the claims, Rev Prof Manso described such conclusion as irresponsible.

“Some of your colleagues are irresponsible, destructive and they are a disaster to the profession,” he told OTECNEWS. “I have been very angry this weekend to read that the pastors went there to pray.”

Rev Prof Paul Frimpong Manso continued that, they will meet the President Nana Addo very soon to table their opinion of the galamsey matter and declared that all Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council members must put on red arm band to show their protest against illegal mining.

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Jacob Agyenim Boateng