The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Eric Nyamekye, has raised concerns about the growing impact of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, on both community livelihoods and religious practices in parts of Ghana.
Speaking at the Church’s 48th General Conference during his State of the Church Address, he identified environmental degradation caused by illegal mining as a major challenge affecting congregations, particularly in mining communities.
Nyamekye explained that the pollution of water bodies has begun to interfere with essential religious rites, especially water baptism. As a result, some church districts have been compelled to adopt alternative methods, including the use of synthetic rubber pools, to perform the ordinance.
He further noted that the environmental damage is undermining local economies, particularly in farming and fishing communities already facing challenges such as unpredictable weather patterns and declining yields. According to him, these conditions, coupled with the seasonal migration of fish stocks, are affecting the financial stability of local church assemblies.
In response, the Church is expanding its social intervention initiatives, including vocational training and literacy programmes, aimed at strengthening the economic resilience of its members.
Nyamekye emphasised that addressing these challenges requires both environmental protection and sustained community support measures to mitigate the broader socio-economic effects of illegal mining.
