Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has emphasized that the battle against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, can only be won if Ghanaians unite around shared values.
He believes that without a collective sense of responsibility, efforts to combat the menace will continue to fall short.
Recounting a visit to galamsey sites, Apostle Nyamekye painted a troubling picture of how some traditional leaders, who should be at the forefront of the fight, have instead turned a blind eye.
He explained that fear of criticism from their peers, who are complicit in illegal mining, has caused some leaders to remain silent about the environmental destruction occurring within their communities.
Apostle Nyamekye pointed out that these conflicting values among the country’s leadership have significantly contributed to the escalation of the problem.
He argued that when leaders fail to align on common principles, the country becomes divided in its efforts to address critical issues like galamsey.
Speaking to the youth leadership of the Church of Pentecost at the Younger Generation Politicians and Leaders Conference, held at the Pentecost Convention Centre in Gomoa Fetteh on Friday, Apostle Nyamekye charged the younger generation to reject conflicting values and fully support the fight against illegal mining.
He called on the youth to lead by example, uphold integrity, and advocate for the protection of the environment, stressing that their role is vital in reshaping the nation’s future.
“Why we are not able to solve galamsey is that there are no shared values. This one has his thinking. This one has his thinking on the issues. If we all sit down as human beings, we will solve this problem. That is why you always need good leaders.”
“We all have our minds so when a leader is not directing us to where the thing should go, all of us will come on with our opinions and there will be division… We need a moral vision,” he stated.