The Media Ministry Director of the Church of Pentecost, Pastor Dr. Felix Klutse, has described illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, as a grave threat to Ghana’s future, warning that its impact extends beyond environmental destruction to the country’s long-term development and survival.
His comments follow renewed concern raised by the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, over the continued pollution and destruction of Ghana’s water bodies due to illegal mining activities.
Delivering the State of the Church Address at the 48th General Conference on Wednesday, April 22, Apostle Nyamekye said the contamination of rivers and streams is already affecting core church practices, including water baptism in several mining communities.
“The extensive pollution of water bodies due to illegal mining has hampered traditional water baptism in some mining communities, necessitating a shift to synthetic rubber pools in several districts to carry out the ordinance,” he stated.
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Wednesday, April 22, Pastor Dr Klutse reinforced the warning, describing galamsey as economic sabotage against future generations and cautioning that Ghana risks undermining its own survival by destroying its water resources.
He stressed that water remains one of the country’s most critical natural assets, warning that once destroyed, it cannot be restored.
“Galamsey is not just an evil canker but it is also an economic sabotage against the future generation. Because a nation that destroys its water bodies is digging its own grave. We believe strongly that water is Ghana’s real gold and once lost no policy can mine it back,” he said.Breaking news alert
Pastor Dr Klutse further noted that the effects of galamsey are being directly felt within the Church, particularly in the administration of water baptism, a key ordinance in Pentecostal and charismatic practice.
He explained that the Church practices baptism by immersion and places strong emphasis on the health and safety of converts. However, pollution of rivers in affected communities has made it unsafe to continue using natural water bodies.
“Water baptism is one of the ordinances of the Church of Pentecost and other Pentecostal and charismatic churches not just in Ghana but other parts of the world and we believe strongly that when you win a soul, the soul has to be baptized by immersion.
“That doesn’t mean that what others do we are condemning it but we believe strongly by immersion and it is worthy to note that when baptizing these souls that we’ve won their health is very paramount so they don’t end up contracting any disease.
“So if you want to baptize these souls and then the river bodies are polluted there is no way you could go ahead and baptize them. That is why we had to resort to other alternatives,” Pastor Dr Klutse said.