The General Overseer of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has urged the Church to intensify public education on the dangers of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, and the irresponsible exploitation of Ghana’s gold resources.
According to him, prayer alone cannot solve the galamsey crisis, stressing that the Church must also educate its members and the wider public about responsible mining, environmental protection and accountability.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, August 17, 2026, the Archbishop identified education as one of the key roles the Church can play in tackling the menace.
Asked what the Church could do beyond praying about galamsey, he said: “Education. That is why I am bringing up this subject.”
Archbishop Duncan-Williams explained that the campaign against illegal mining should not be interpreted as a call to completely stop people from mining, but rather as a demand for mining activities to be carried out responsibly and within the law.
“I feel I have a responsibility to educate the church so that we don’t politicise everything and realise that nobody, from my perspective, is telling people you cannot mine, but do it in a responsible way and be accountable,” he said.
He further warned that the economic gains from mining could become meaningless if the environment is destroyed and communities lose access to clean water and fertile farmland.
“After having all this money, you can’t drink the water, you can’t bathe in the water, and the land that produces our food is poisonous; you are putting mercury in people’s bodies,” he said.
The Archbishop therefore called on miners and other stakeholders to consider the environmental impact of their activities and protect the country’s natural resources.
“Nobody is telling you don’t do this, but do it the right way, and while you are doing it the right way, have the environment in mind,” he added.
‘The people who come to church are the citizens’
Archbishop Duncan-Williams said the Church was in a strong position to support the fight against galamsey because of its extensive reach across communities.
He noted that church members are also citizens who contribute to the country’s economy and participate in public life, making churches an important avenue for promoting environmental and civic awareness.
“The people who come to church are the citizens. They do everything in the country. They run the country,” he said.
He believes that educating congregants about the consequences of illegal mining could influence their actions in their homes, communities and workplaces.
“If we can educate them, create the awareness and help them to understand that nobody is telling you don’t do this but do it the right way and while you are doing it the right way, have the environment in mind,” he said.
The Archbishop also acknowledged the spiritual dimension of the galamsey crisis, saying prayer remains important. However, he stressed that the Church’s role must go beyond spiritual interventions to include educating citizens about their responsibilities towards society and the environment.
His comments come amid growing concerns over the impact of illegal mining on Ghana’s water bodies, farmlands and public health, particularly the risks associated with pollutants such as mercury.
Archbishop Duncan-Williams called for greater responsibility, accountability and environmental stewardship, stressing that protecting Ghana’s natural resources is a duty owed to both the present generation and those yet to come.
By: Prince Martey-Sogar