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Emeritus Bishop of the Konongo-Mampong Diocese, Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, has issued a sobering reminder that Ghana’s survival depends on decisive action against illegal mining, warning that no amount of gold wealth can compensate for poisoned rivers and barren lands.
Appearing on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, the outspoken Catholic leader said the country is fighting a battle more dangerous than any border conflict.
“Ghana is at war. We are not at war with Togo, or Ivory Coast, or Burkina Faso. We are at war with galamsey. And if we don’t take care, a time will come when we will get plenty of gold exports, but then there will be no water to drink. And Ghana will cease to exist,” he declared.
Gold vs. Survival
Bishop Osei-Bonsu criticised the obsession with gold revenues, stressing that economic figures mean little if the essentials of life are destroyed.
“At the end of the day, when you get all this gold, will you be able to eat it? Will you be able to drink it? You need water to drink. You need good water for all kinds of things,” he said, urging President Akufo-Addo to pay closer attention to the concerns of civic and religious groups sounding the alarm.
Beyond Partisan Politics
The emeritus bishop warned that the anti-galamsey fight must rise above political colours, insisting that both the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) bear responsibility to act.
“The right thing should be done. Whether it’s an NDC government or an NPP government, Ghana comes first. Our welfare comes first. And so whatever needs to be done should be done,” he emphasised.
With rivers turning brown and communities losing their farmlands, Bishop Osei-Bonsu’s call adds to the growing chorus demanding urgent and uncompromising measures to rescue Ghana from what many describe as an environmental war.
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