The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor on Tuesday, 25th October 2022 courted the support of the leadership of the Ghana Christian Council to help government halt the illegal mining menace in the country.
Describing the engagement with the Council as a productive, impactful and useful one, Hon. Jinapor said the meeting with the Christian leaders is in line with the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s quest to mobilize broad-based national support for the ongoing fight against illegal mining.
He said the overarching outcome is the Council agreeing to work together with the government to address the illegal mining situation.
“We need strong and authoritative voices to be able to transform the hearts and minds of the Ghanaian people,” he stated.
The Lands and Natural Resources Minister’s meeting with the Christian Council in Accra, follows a series of engagements with key stakeholders, including the Council of State in an effort to obtain reliable and sound inputs to help the government to fashion out appropriate steps, to among others fight the illegal mining canker, improve mining operations and enhance the ecological system of the country.
Hon. Jinapor further thanked the Christian Council for their patriotism, nationalism and unflinching commitment to helping the government tackle the old-age problem of illegal mining.
On behalf of the Council, the Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, pledged their unwavering support to collaborate with the government to curb the menace of illegal mining.
The council also used the occasion to present to the Hon. Minister a copy of their statement which sought to call for a temporary ban on small-scale mining for the Minister’s perusal and study.
The all-important meeting was also graced by the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, Most Rev. Dr. Paul Boafo, and a host of other Christian leaders.
