Catholic Church to Lead Nationwide Environmental Prayer Protest Walk Against Illegal Mining
The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, in partnership with the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious Ghana, and Catholic Lay Faithful and Professionals, is set to lead a high-profile Environmental Prayer Protest Walk Against Galamsey on October 11, 2024, as pressure mounts on the government to tackle the nation’s illegal mining crisis.
In a statement released on October 4, the Catholic Church outlined its aim to raise awareness of the destructive impact of galamsey on Ghana’s environment and public health.
The protest seeks to push the government to declare a state of emergency on all mining activities near water bodies, river buffers, and forest reserves, in a bid to curb further environmental degradation and ensure sustainable development.
The organizers of the protest are calling for decisive action from the government, particularly in halting illegal mining practices that have severely damaged Ghana’s water resources and ecosystems.
Participants will begin their march from the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Adabraka and traverse key landmarks in Accra, including Castle Road, Parliament House, and Oxford Street, before concluding at Christ the King Parish in Cantonments.
At the heart of the demonstration will be the submission of a petition to President Nana Akufo-Addo at Jubilee House, urging his administration to intensify efforts to combat illegal mining and safeguard the nation’s future.
The Church has issued an open call for widespread participation from all sectors of society, including faith-based groups, civil society organizations, and environmental activists.
The event underscores the Catholic Church’s increasing role in shaping national discourse on key policy issues, with organizers emphasizing the urgency of “meaningful intervention” to protect Ghana’s environment from irreversible damage.
As public frustration grows over the government’s perceived inaction, the protest is expected to send a clear message to authorities: that the time for incremental reforms has passed, and bold, immediate measures are required to address the galamsey crisis.
