The Diocesan Bishop of the Methodist Church at Sekondi, Right Reverend, Daniel De-graft Brace, has declared the support of the Church in the fight against illegal small scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Addressing a synod at Kwesimintsim in the Western Region at the weekend, the Bishop lauded President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s initiative to end galamsey, which has depleted vast forest covers, polluted water bodies and destroyed large tracts of farmlands across the country.

He observed health and sanitation issues, which have been threatening the environment, seem to be a major challenge for the country. “Looking at our various beaches, most of the places have turned to refuse dumping sites and places of convenience,” he observed and expressed worry about the situation which he said has been the result of human activities.

Bishop Brace wondered whether rivers like the Pra, Ankobra, Whin, Tano and many more that that were clean some years back are the same rivers which have now been highly polluted by the activities of galamsey.

“Let us have a second look at the destruction of our water bodies, our forest and the land degradation going on in our diocese” he urged.

He described the government approach to end galamsey as a bold step and promised the church’s support by educating the congregation about the need to end the phenomenon which is greatly affecting the environment “I am happy that the government of the day has taken up the menace of the galamsey operators and will wish all Methodist and the entire Christian community to give maximum support to find a lasting solution devoid of apparent hostility to the problem which seems to be getting out of hand,” he encouraged.

He said an education drive he started at Tarkwa against illegal mining worked well, and urged all members to get on board to save the country’s rivers and water bodies.

Deputy Western Regional Minister, Gifty Eugenia Kusi, commended the Methodist Church distinguishing itself as a beacon of hope and also strong pillar for the country’s moral fiber.

“The Methodist Church has been one major partner of government in the field of education, agriculture, health care delivery, and water and sanitation improvement among other sectors of Ghana’s economy.”

She urged the congregation to accept and preach against all social vices which impede nation building and called on true believers of Christ to refrain from chasing wealth, engaging in corruption, dishonesty, profligate lifestyle and fraud. She narrated the measures the government is putting in place to bring down the issue of illegal mining to save the environment.

“The galamsey episode which has engulfed the country has been given necessary attention. We have established five-year development integrated programme to ensure that the small scale mining is done regulated and also according to the laws of the country.”

The 56th annual synod of the Methodist church of Sekondi diocese in attendance was chiefs and queenmothers which the Omanhene of Essikado, Nana Kwabena Nketsiah V, and members in the political fraternity including the mayor of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, Anthony K.K. Sam and representatives of the other churches attended.