The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) has issued its first public response to a media report that inaccurately claimed the Council visited an illegal mining site, commonly known as “galamsey,” solely for a prayer session.
Reverend Dr. Cyril Fayose, the General Secretary of the Council, stated that the media misrepresented the facts at the time of publication, which subjected the CCG to unwarranted public criticism.
Dr. Fayose clarified that the CCG team had undertaken a fact-finding mission at the galamsey site, an endeavor that nearly resulted in the loss of his life and those of other team members.
He made the remarks at a press briefing by the Council to launch it’s maiden Ecumenical Convention.
The event will be held from November 14 to 16 at the Central Cafeteria, University of Ghana, Legon, under the theme “Uniting the Body of Christ for Greater Impact”.
His comments were made in response to a question regarding the CCG’s expectations for their upcoming meeting with the President, select Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and other religious groups on October 3, 2025.
Dr. Fayose emphasised that the CCG initiated the fight and advocacy against galamsey before several other groups joined the cause.
He recounted a 2022 fact-finding mission that was unfortunately misconstrued as a prayer session.
The mission was launched after the Council had evaluated the devastating environmental and social impact of galamsey.
Unbeknownst to the team, the site they were inspecting was a concealed pit filled with water.
Dr. Fayose recounted that it took a timely intervention from a bystander to alert him and his colleagues to the danger. “Luckily for us, the portion we stood on was covered,” he stated, adding that a larger group would likely have resulted in fatalities.
The General Secretary affirmed the CCG’s long-term commitment to ending illegal mining, noting that they have not abandoned their advocacy.
He recalled their extensive engagements with chiefs, opinion leaders, the police, and the Lands and Natural Resources Minister under the previous administration, even proposing a moratorium on mining activities.
Dr. Fayose expressed concern regarding the lack of demonstrated political commitment to the anti-galamsey effort by both major political parties.
He highlighted how the current administration initially called for a state of emergency to be declared upon assuming office but later “shifted the goalpost,” claiming it was no longer necessary.
Similarly, he criticised the previous government for displaying a “lackadaisical attitude” and refusing to implement a temporary moratorium on small-scale mining.
In reference to the upcoming meeting with the President, Dr. Fayose offered a measured perspective:
“We recognise and acknowledge the complexity of the galamsey issue. It is not an easy issue to deal with. That is why we welcome this invitation by the President for us to engage. We expect that the President will speak to us and he will give us the opportunity to also tell him what we think. But we think that there is something that they (politicians) see that we don’t see from their advantageous position as the leaders of the country.”
The CCG maintains that a concerted, politically committed effort is essential to overcoming the challenges posed by illegal mining.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana.