Archbishop of Accra rallies support for anti-galamsey prayer walk slated for October 11

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, is calling on all priests, religious associations, and the laity to join a large-scale Environmental Prayer Walk against galamsey (illegal mining) scheduled for Friday, October 11, 2024.

The initiative is targeted at addressing the ongoing environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, was announced by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, in a statement urging heavy mobilization and participation from all Catholic faithful.

In the official statement, Archbishop Kwofie reiterated the critical need for collective action to protect the nation’s natural resources. “This initiative reflects our civil, communal, and religious commitment to our country and its ecosystem, which is being destroyed,” he said.

The prayer walk, organized in collaboration with the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious in Ghana (CMSR-GH), the National Catholic Secretariat’s Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Commission, and other Catholic bodies, will start at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Adabraka and end at Christ the King Parish in Cantonments.

Participants will pray the Rosary during the walk, reflecting on their role as stewards of the environment. The Archbishop further directed that all priests should read the announcement during church services on Sunday, October 6, 2024, and encourage their parishioners to participate. “I ask all priests to read this letter and announce this prayer walk in all churches in the Archdiocese… Each Parish Priest or Priest-in-Charge is expected to mobilize his parishioners and support this event,” he added.

To ensure order and coordination during the walk, the Archbishop requested that the Knights of St. John International and Ladies Auxiliary, as well as the Knights and Ladies of Marshall, appear in their uniforms. Priests were also asked to wear their cassocks (clerical attire).

The event will culminate in a Mass at the Christ the King Grotto and a formal petition presentation at the Jubilee House, appealing to the government to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining activities affecting Ghana’s forests and water bodies.

The Archbishop urged all Catholics and Ghanaians to join the event, stating, “We shall engage in a Peaceful Prayer Walk, praying the Rosary, which is our weapon against any adversaries.” He added that the participation of the religious community symbolizes their commitment to environmental sustainability and the future of the nation.

This prayer walk comes at a time when illegal mining has led to widespread pollution of water bodies and the degradation of vast forest lands across the country, raising urgent concerns about environmental preservation and sustainability.

“May our Blessed Lady intercede for our beloved country Ghana during this critical time,” the Archbishop concluded.

The peaceful prayer walk will see the Church pray for environmental restoration and demand immediate government action to curb the damage caused by galamsey and promote environmental protection.