Rev. Professor Paul Frimpong-Manso, a former President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), has expressed serious concern regarding the rapid growth of illegal mining activities in Ghana, which has had a devastating effect, according to a myjoyonline.com report.

He cautioned that if not tackled immediately, galamsey has the potential of becoming a threat to the nation.

"We are sitting on a time bomb. It is a disaster. We are committing national genocide, not only against ourselves but against generations yet unborn," he said.

He made this statement on JoyNews' Upfront on September 5, 2024.

Prof. Frimpong Manso condemned both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for failing to tackle illegal mining.

"If Otumfuo could recently sack three chiefs, if two journalists can arrest some people and bring them to justice, if a king in the Eastern Region can order bulldozers to be burned, what about those who control the police, the Mining Commission, the Minister, the District Chief Executives (DCEs), and the rest?" he questioned.

He emphasized total institutional failure, arguing that words alone cannot solve the issue unless action is taken.

"As for the Church leaders, please, we are the conscience of the nation. We must either keep quiet and sink together with the populace... So, to my fellow church leaders, we must preach the truth. People may hate us, fight us, or not understand us, but that is what Desmond Tutu and others did to liberate South Africa from apartheid," he said.

Prof. Frimpong Manso said that illegal mining has become increasingly harmful and advised church leaders to go beyond preaching the gospel and turning a deaf ear to the issue at hand.

"Our nation is being destroyed. We are heading toward national doom, and it's better late than never. I hope that by this coming Sunday, church leaders will wear red bands, go out, and demonstrate - even if it is to the Jubilee House or elsewhere," he said.

RAD/OGB


Meanwhile, catch up on the latest episode of The Lowdown on GhanaWeb TV as Etsey Atisu digs deep into the journey and stories of Esther Cobbah and her Stratcomm Africa company that is celebrating 30 years of existence, below: