Concerns over the environmental and health impact of illegal mining dominated discussions at the 16th S.H. Amissah Memorial Lecture organised by the Methodist Church Ghana and its Connexional Lay Movement in Koforidua.
Held at the Wesley Cathedral, the event brought together church members, environmental advocates and national stakeholders to examine the growing threat posed by illegal mining, widely known as galamsey.
Delivering the keynote address, investigative journalist Erastus Asare Donkor warned that Ghana’s water bodies were experiencing extreme pollution levels due to the activities of illegal miners.
He explained that turbidity readings in some rivers had reached alarming levels. According to him, the Ghana Water Company Limited intake point at Daboase recorded turbidity levels as high as 14,000 NTU, far above the World Health Organization drinking water standard of 5 NTU.
Mr Donkor noted that illegal mining activities were continuing across several communities, including Wassa Gyapa, Ntwentwena, Dadieso, Atwima Mponua, Asante Akyem Central, Konongo, and Odumase.
He cited findings from the Forestry Commission indicating that illegal mining activities within forest reserves had expanded significantly, from 5,252.9 hectares in 2021 to 8,923.8 hectares by the end of 2024.
The journalist cautioned that beyond environmental damage, galamsey also poses serious public health risks, including intestinal obstruction and acute kidney disease due to contamination of water sources.
The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, said protecting the environment was both a moral and theological responsibility.
“Economic development must never come at the cost of human dignity, environmental sustainability and the wellbeing of future generations,” he stated, urging citizens to rethink development priorities and safeguard natural resources.
The lecture also recognised the contributions of John E. K. Pratt, who served as the fifth Lay President of the Methodist Conference between 2011 and 2014. He was presented with a plaque and citation in honour of his service to the church and national development.
Mr Pratt, in his response, expressed gratitude for the recognition and pledged to support the construction of a church building at Pantoase, where congregants currently worship in a temporary structure.
Speakers at the event called for stronger collaboration among government, traditional leaders, civil society and the media to combat illegal mining, while recommending investment in alternative livelihoods, protection for whistleblowers and proper reclamation of degraded lands.
