Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, Dr. Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, has lamented the lack of support from the laity in the crucial fight against illegal mining in the country.
According to him, the “Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has issued several statements in the past on the state of the environment in Ghana; however, not much has changed,” because the laity has not been actively involved.
“Again let me emphasis the failure of the Laity to support our Lord Bishops in this fight,” he said.
In an address read on his behalf at the Arrupe Jesuit Institute -Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability Africa-Ghana led Environmental Policy Dialogues held at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra on March 21, Dr. Ashigbey highlighted the pervasive influence of powerful and well-connected individuals in perpetuating galamsey activities, suggesting potential political cover-ups that have hindered progress in eliminating this destructive practice.
He argues that despite the deployment of the government’s joint police and military task force, Operation Vanguard, aimed at eradicating illegal mining, tangible results have remained elusive.
“At this juncture, we must acknowledge our collective failure in the fight against galamsey,” remarked Dr. Ashigbey.
He however noted that Christian groups have a responsibility to protect the environment in the spirit of luadato Si.
“As Christians, we bear a moral responsibility to both society and God to safeguard and preserve our environment,” He added.
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