Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Kwasi Amoafo, a distinguished lecturer, author, and preacher, has called on the church to collaborate more actively with the government in addressing Ghana’s illegal mining (galamsey) crisis.

He advocates for the church to help provide sustainable alternatives through proper regulation and intervention.

In an interview with Bernard Avle on The Point of View on Channel One TV, on Monday, September 30, Rev. Dr. Amoafo emphasised the church’s role in raising awareness, urging religious leaders to use the pulpit to educate Ghanaians—particularly those involved in illegal mining—about the need to protect the environment and preserve water bodies.

When asked if the church should take a stronger stance on environmental protection, Rev. Dr. Amoafo responded, “Absolutely, I would say that they should do it in two ways, first from the pulpit, teaching the ordinary man on the streets, the importance of our God-given mandate to steward the environment in a Godly way.

“And then, secondly engaging actively with the government, because the government takes the church seriously. Especially in a country like Ghana, where virtually everybody goes to church.

“The government seeking votes from the public knows that the people listen to the church. The church should actively engage with the government and say that we think this thing needs to be regulated this way. They need to also provide alternatives if you just tell the government to regulate it, [it doesn’t work that way].”