Apostle Kofi Nkansah Sarkodie, popularly known as St Sark, has issued a strong call to the government to declare a state of emergency over the illegal mining crisis, widely known as galamsey as reported by Ghana Web.
The outspoken head pastor of Open Arms Ministry in Kumasi criticized what he described as a lukewarm approach by the current administration in addressing the environmental and health implications of the menace.
Speaking during a press briefing at his church, Apostle Sarkodie directly addressed President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), urging them to treat the situation with the urgency it demands.
He lamented the continued destruction of Ghana’s forests and water bodies, warning that the consequences are becoming irreversible.
St Sark proposed the deployment of drones to monitor galamsey-prone areas as a possible solution, adding that modern surveillance could help track illegal operations and improve enforcement.
He expressed deep concern over the health hazards caused by polluted rivers, claiming that chemicals used in illegal mining have led to disturbing medical conditions in newborns.
“It is very worrying that people are suffering due to these illegal activities,” he said.
The pastor warned the Mahama-led government that inaction could cost them public trust, drawing parallels with the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government which, according to him, suffered politically for failing to tackle the issue.
“I have said it and I’m saying it again that the government must declare a state of emergency on the galamsey issue. If they don’t want to be disgraced, they should do the needful,” he cautioned.
