Archbishop Duncan-Williams warns galamsey threatens Ghana's children and grandchildren

Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, Founder and General Overseer of Action Chapel International, has sounded an alarm about the long-term consequences of illegal mining in Ghana, warning that galamsey's environmental destruction poses a serious threat not just to present-day Ghanaians but to future generations who will inherit a damaged landscape.

Speaking during a church service on Sunday, August 16, the prominent religious leader expressed deep concern about how the nation is managing its natural resources. He highlighted that illegal mining operations are systematically poisoning Ghana's rivers, contaminating water bodies, and degrading farmland—resources that are fundamental to food security and sustainable development.

Environmental damage beyond today's generation

Duncan-Williams stressed that the consequences of galamsey should not be viewed as merely a present-day problem. The destruction of rivers and agricultural land, he explained, will have cascading effects on people yet unborn, potentially compromising their ability to access clean water and grow sufficient food. "I take time to study history a lot, and some things are bothering me and one of them is how we are managing the future of our children and our grandchildren when it comes to our water bodies, when it comes to the land that produces crops and the food we eat," he said.

The Archbishop's concern reflects a growing realisation among Ghanaians that galamsey is not simply an economic or regulatory issue—it is fundamentally a question of intergenerational justice and national stewardship.

Why politics is blocking solutions

A critical dimension of Duncan-Williams' critique centres on the politicisation of illegal mining enforcement. He argued that political calculations and electoral fears have paralysed Ghana's ability to enforce laws effectively against galamsey operators. When officials attempt to crack down on illegal mining, the issue becomes weaponised along party lines, he observed, deterring action for fear of losing parliamentary seats or party advantage.

"If anybody tries to make it work and enforce the law, we turn everything to politics," Duncan-Williams said. "And so because people don't want to lose their seat in parliament, or they don't want their party to lose, they give in and allow lawlessness to continue."

This observation aligns with longstanding complaints from civil society and environmental groups that galamsey persists partly because some politicians and officials have vested interests in the trade or fear the electoral consequences of aggressive enforcement.

The background: galamsey in Ghana's public conversation

Illegal small-scale mining has been a contentious issue in Ghana for years. While artisanal mining can provide livelihoods, unregulated galamsey operations use crude methods and toxic chemicals that contaminate water sources, destroy agricultural soils, and pose serious health risks to communities. The practice has drawn criticism from environmental advocates, public health experts, and religious leaders across denominations.

Duncan-Williams' intervention adds moral and spiritual weight to calls for stricter action. His position as a respected church leader gives his warnings particular resonance among Ghana's large Christian population and beyond.

The Archbishop said he intends to dedicate more time to prayer for Ghana given his concerns about the country's natural resources and the trajectory of environmental degradation. He also called on all Ghanaians to join him in prayer for the nation's future.