The leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) is increasingly alarmed by the negative effects of galamsey on their soul-winning efforts. Pastor Edward Nyarkoh, Executive Secretary of the Northern Ghana Union of the SDA Church, highlighted that the contamination of water bodies due to illegal mining is hindering traditional baptism practices.
Pastor Nyarkoh explained that the church can no longer perform baptisms in rivers and streams, which have become increasingly turbid and polluted. As a result, congregations are now forced to construct baptisteries to facilitate the baptism of new converts.
The Northern Ghana Union currently has 2,251 congregations, with a total membership of 218,000 as of July 2024. Over the past year, approximately 2,000 new converts have been baptized, a process now requiring alternative facilities due to the polluted state of natural water bodies.
Pastor Daniel Kyei-Baffuor Junior, President of the Mid-Central Ghana Conference, urged church leaders to speak out against illegal mining. He also called on church members involved in galamsey to cease their participation in this illegal activity.
The SDA Church is yet to issue an official statement regarding illegal mining, but the growing concern among its leadership reflects a commitment to address the issue not only for the sake of baptism practices but also for the welfare of the community and environment.
Source: DEW360.NET
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