Former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Prof Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, has strongly condemned illegal mining, cautioning that political allegiance must not take precedence over the responsibility to safeguard Ghana’s environment.

Delivering a sermon on Sunday, April 26, at the Victory Congregation of the church in Adenta Frafraha, Accra, he stressed that religious leaders will continue to speak against galamsey despite intimidation or political pressure.

His comments follow recent public exchanges involving the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr Mary Awusi, who criticised the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost over remarks on illegal mining, a situation that later led to an apology.

Rev. Prof Mante maintained that condemning galamsey is a moral and national responsibility rather than a political issue.

“Tell that woman we’re not afraid of her. It’s not about the party. We’re not afraid of anybody… If something is a sin, it is a sin, whether it is under Akufo-Addo or under Mahama or whoever. If it is evil, it is evil,” he stated.

He warned that the ongoing destruction of water bodies and farmlands through illegal mining poses a serious threat to future generations.

“You Ghanaians, you sit there and let the galamsey go on, all your children and grandchildren will die early. The thing is so evil. I don’t understand why,” he added.

He concluded that religious leaders who speak against environmental degradation are fulfilling their duty to both God and the nation, and not acting out of political interest.