Human Rights Lawyer Charles Juanah has strongly criticized the ongoing galamsey prayer walks organized by certain churches, arguing that such spiritual activities are not the solution to illegal mining. Speaking at a press conference, Juanah acknowledged that galamsey is a serious issue, destroying the country’s water bodies and risking the need to import water. However, he expressed doubt that protests and prayer walks could bring about the necessary change.
He suggested that the estimated three million people involved in galamsey cannot be deterred by prayer protests or street demonstrations. Juanah believes that the timing of these actions is politically motivated, with some politicians using the issue to score points ahead of the upcoming elections. He also pointed out that the heightened tensions, partly fueled by unemployment, could lead to unrest.
Juanah urged those demonstrating to stop, insisting that this is not the right time for protests, given the country’s already high levels of tension. He advised that addressing galamsey should be left to the incoming president, as President Akufo-Addo’s term is nearing its end, leaving little time for impactful change on the issue.
The lawyer stressed that real solutions to galamsey would require collaboration between Ghanaian citizens and security forces, not church-led prayer walks. He questioned the biblical basis of such actions, stating, “The Bible never said anywhere that going on a prayer walk can stop galamsey. If you want God’s help, go into your room and pray.” He warned that excessive politicization, even in churches, is exacerbating tensions in the country and urged calm as the nation heads toward the elections.
Juanah concluded by calling for a peaceful election and a unified approach to resolving the galamsey crisis once the new president assumes office.
