The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, in conjunction with the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious and Catholic Lay Faithful and Professionals, will conduct an Environmental Prayer Protest Walk today, October 11. This initiative seeks to elevate awareness of galamsey’s destructive impact on the environment, urge prompt government intervention and advocate for a state of emergency regarding mining activities near water bodies, river buffers, and forest reserves.
The protest against galamsey kicks off today at 10:00am at the iconic Holy Spirit Cathedral in Adabraka, Accra. From there, participants will embark on a symbolic walk through major landmarks in Accra, including Castle Road, Ridge Roundabout, Parliament House, and Oxford Street, before concluding at Christ the King Parish in Cantonments.
A petition will be presented to President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House during the protest, urging immediate action to address the galamsey crisis. The Catholic Church is extending an invitation to all Ghanaians, regardless of faith or affiliation, to join this peaceful demonstration. This includes Catholics, other Christians, Muslims, traditional authorities, civil society organizations, environmental activists, and the general public. The goal is to unite against galamsey and demand swift action from the government.
According to the organizers, this event goes beyond prayer, it’s a call to action. The focus is on demanding swift, tangible solutions to halt galamsey, safeguard the environment, and rejuvenate Ghana’s ecosystems.