Catholic Church to lead protest walk against galamsey on Oct. 11

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 an Environmental Prayer Protest Walk Against Galamsey on Friday, October 11, 2024.

According to a press statement issued by the church on Friday, October 4, it said the protest aims to raise awareness about the catastrophic effects of illegal mining (galamsey) in Ghana and call for urgent government action to end this menace.

The primary objective of the protest is to advocate for a state of emergency on mining activities, particularly around water bodies, river buffers, and forest reserves.

Organisers hope to encourage the government to take decisive measures to halt the environmental degradation caused by galamsey and promote sustainable development to secure a livable future for generations to come.

The protest will commence at Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka, at 10:00 am where participants will walk through major landmarks in Accra, including Castle Road, Ridge Roundabout, Parliament House, and Oxford Street, before concluding the walk at Christ the King Parish, Cantonments.

A petition will also be presented to President Akufo-Addo at Jubilee House during the event, urging swift action to address the crisis.

In light of this, the Catholic Church is calling on all Ghanaians—Catholics, other Christians, Muslims, traditional authorities, civil society organisations, environmental activists, and the general public—to join in this peaceful demonstration.

The organisers noted that the event is not only about prayer but also about demanding immediate, meaningful intervention to stop galamsey, protect the environment, and restore Ghana’s ecosystems.