A former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, has issued a strong warning against illegal mining, insisting that political affiliations must never take precedence over the responsibility to protect Ghana’s environment.
Delivering a sermon on Sunday, April 26, at the Victory Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Adenta Frafraha, Accra, the respected cleric stressed that religious leaders will continue to speak out against galamsey despite intimidation or political pressure.
His comments come in the wake of recent controversy involving Mary Awusi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, who publicly criticised the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost over anti-galamsey remarks. The backlash that followed compelled her to issue an apology.
Rev. Prof. Mante made it clear that the fight against illegal mining is a moral obligation that transcends political lines.
“Tell that woman we’re not afraid of her. It’s not about the party. We’re not afraid of anybody… If something is a sin, it is a sin, whether it is under Akufo-Addo or under Mahama or whoever. If it is evil, it is evil,” he declared.
He warned of dire consequences if the menace is allowed to persist, cautioning that future generations could suffer severe environmental and health impacts.
“You Ghanaians, you sit there and let the galamsey go on, all your children and grandchildren will die early. The thing is so evil. I don’t understand why,” he added.
The former Moderator emphasised that clergy speak against environmental degradation out of duty to God and the nation, not political loyalty.
Reflecting on past engagements, Rev. Prof. Mante revealed that during his tenure as Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, he led a delegation alongside leaders of the Church of Pentecost to meet then-President John Dramani Mahama to demand decisive action against illegal mining.
“I was the one who led the delegation. We talked and talked about it. It’s not just during this administration. It’s not about party issues at all,” he said.
He underscored that the galamsey crisis predates current administrations and should be treated as a national survival issue rather than a political tool.
Rev. Prof. Mante further cautioned Ghanaians against reducing critical national challenges to partisan debates, urging citizens to adopt a broader perspective.
“If people cannot think beyond party, they should stop opening their mouths… We’re not afraid of anybody, no party. We were there before there was a party,” he stressed.