Illegal mining is an existential threat -Marshallans

The Noble Order of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall, a Catholic-friendly society, has stressed the need for Ghanaians to see illegal mining not merely as an environmental issue, but as a moral, spiritual, and exis­tential crisis.

“The desecration of our rivers, forests, and farmlands is a betrayal of God’s mandate to mankind, to care for creation. The poisoning of our water bodies, the loss of livelihoods, and the exploitation of vulnerable youth are wounds that cut deep into the soul of our dear nation,” it stated.

This was contained in a state­ment jointly signed by the Supreme Knight, Sir Kt Bro Constantine Kudzedzi, and the Grand Lady, Most Respected Lady Sister Irene Smith-Ansah, in solidarity with the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Confer­ence prophetic denunciation of the destructive scourge of illegal mining (galamsey) that continues to ravage our beloved nation.

As a Catholic fraternal organisa­tion, it emphasised, the society was committed to justice, responsible stewardship, environmental protec­tion and the dignity of human life.

“We commend the Bishops for speaking truth to power and for calling all sectors of society: political leaders, chiefs, religious figures, and citizens to repentance, courage, and action.

The statement again indicated that the Bishops’ call for a state of emergency, a holistic national strat­egy, and the prosecution of both the powerful and the poor was not only just, but was necessary.

It pledged to advocate for re­sponsible stewardship of Ghana’s natural resources and support edu­cation and awareness campaigns in the communities.

The statement encouraged mem­bers of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall to speak out against corruption and environmental injustice, saying that,

“Let it be known that we choose life over death, justice over silence, and integrity over complicity.

“We stand with our Bishops, not in fear, but in faith, and we call upon all lay Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ to rise with us in defense of our shared home: Mother Earth,” it added.

“Let it be known that we choose life over death, justice over silence, and integrity over complicity,” the statement added.

 BY TIMES REPORTER

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