The President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated his government’s commitment to the fight against illegal mining which has caused environmental deterioration and is seen as a threat to human livelihoods. “We will win the fight against galamsey no matter the cost”, he reaffirmed.
The President made the call when he addressed the 28th National and 16th Biennial Congress of the National Union of Ghana Catholic Diocesan Priests’ Association (NUGCDPA ) at Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital on Wednesday 4th January 2023.
Responding to Ing. Ken Ashigbey, the Chairman for the occasion’s queries on the activities of Akonta Mining Company Limited, the President emphatically indicated that the Company was not currently engaged in any illegal mining. “I want to assure him( Ing. Ken Ashigbey) and all of you that Akonta Mining is not engaged in any illegal mining anywhere in Ghana as we speak”.
He also indicated that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources through the Forestry Commission with the assistance of the Military has made an effort to cordon off all 294 sites of forest reserves in the country and has gotten rid of illegal mining activities in those areas.
It should be remembered that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in October 2022 stopped Akonta Mining Company Limited from mining in the forest reserve.
The President consequently repeated the call to the Priests and the public to continue to stand by the government as she found lasting solutions to the country’s current economic crisis.
Speaking on the theme “A Synodal church and the welfare of the Diocesan Priest in a changing world”, the keynote speaker, Mr. George Kofi Tandoh encouraged the Senior Priest and the Young Priests to be each other keepers, emphasizing the need for cordial relationship which could be a motivation to attract other young men to join the priesthood.
He also admonished them to do away with all forms of backbiting and division where a faction tries to paint the other black in order to look good in the eyes of the parishioners, adding that, a true brother should not be a competitor but rather, a gift to a shared ministry.
NUGCDPA was formed with the objective; of Forster unity and fraternity among Priests; encouraging and helping members in their spiritual and material welfare for the promotion and enhancement of their work; promoting and fostering vocations to the priesthood and religious life; and seeking and promoting integral human development in societies.
Other dignitaries present at the programme were the Honourable Eastern Regional Minister Mr. Seth Kwame Acheampong, the Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Hon Okyere Kofi Baafi, the Omanahene of New Juaben Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III, the Municipal Chief Executives.