Catholics To Embark On Prayer Protest Walk Against Galamsey Today, October 11
- The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra will be embarking on an environmental prayer protest walk today, October 11, 2024
- They want the government to declare a state of emergency in mining communities and ban small-scale mining efforts
- The Archdiocese will be joined by other religious groups and concerned Ghanaians at the galamsey protest
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The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra is set to lead an environmental prayer walk today, October 11, 2024, as part of an anti-galamsey protest.
The Archdiocese will be joined by the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious Ghana, the Catholic Lay Faithfuls and Professionals, and other concerned Ghanaians.
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According to a police statement, the ‘environmental prayer protest walk against galamsey’ will begin at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka, proceed through Castle Road to the Old Electoral Commission Office at Ridge, and then continue to the AU Roundabout.
The walk will take the third exit at the AU Roundabout onto Independence Avenue, proceed to the Ako Adjei Interchange towards the National Police Headquarters Traffic Light, proceed along Josif Broz Tito Avenue and onto Jawaharlal Nehru Road, and terminate at the Christ the King Catholic Church.
Catholics: Protest more than a walk
A separate press statement from the Archdiocese on Friday, October 4, 2024, stated that the protest is more than just a walk.
It stressed that it is a clarion call for collective action against the illegal mining menace that has devastated Ghana’s natural environment, threatening the lives and livelihoods of all Ghanaians.
The protest organisers said the government could no longer be complacent in the fight against galamsey and have urged it to immediately initiate sustained action to clamp down on the illegal miners.
The protesters will submit a petition to the government at the Jubilee House urging the president to declare a state of emergency in mining areas across the country.
They are also urging the government to end mining in environmentally sensitive areas such as rivers, forest reserves and areas close to major water bodies.
Their demands follow the heavy pollution of several major rivers across the country as a result of galamsey.
Expert supports calls for state of emergency
Security Expert Adib Saanie in an interview with YEN.com.gh has supported calls for a state of emergency in mining communities.
He explained that under the current dispensation, the government's attempt to combat galamsey could be hit by several challenges which otherwise would not exist if the laws were suspended in that area.
"The issue of a state of emergency, as a matter of fact, that would have even been the best approach because, you know, we are governed by the rule of law, issues of courts injunctions and all that, in my opinion, would delay the process.
"But suspending the laws would enable and capacitate the military and others they call to take the necessary action to end this menace once and for all, so the state of emergency would have been a very good approach. Unfortunately, there's no commitment in that regard.
OrganisedLlabour suspends strike
While the Catholics embark on their prayer protest walk, YEN.com.gh reported that Organised Labour has called off their planned strike.
The decision to suspend the strike was made after an urgent meeting on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, a day before the protest was scheduled.
Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress, said they wanted to observe how the government would address their concerns.
Proofread by Bruce Douglas, senior copy editor at YEN.com.gh
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Source: YEN.com.gh
