Archbishop Duncan-Williams Calls for Prayers to Address Ghana’s Galamsey Crisis
Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams has called for prayers to protect and restore Ghana’s polluted water bodies and degraded lands, warning that continued galamsey could pose serious risks to agriculture, food security and public health
HENRY GERCHI 
Accra, August 10, 2026 — Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, founder of Action Chapel International, has called for prayers for Ghana’s land and water bodies as illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, continues to threaten the country’s environment and food security.
The Archbishop made the call in a video shared by JoyNews on August 9, 2026, expressing concern about the growing pollution of Ghana’s rivers, farmlands and other natural resources.
According to Duncan-Williams, the environmental consequences of illegal mining could become increasingly serious if the situation is not addressed. He warned that pollution of farmland and water sources could eventually affect the production and safety of food consumed by Ghanaians.
He urged Ghanaians to pray for the healing and protection of the country’s water bodies and land, while describing the situation as having deeper spiritual dimensions.
Concern over food and water security
The Archbishop cautioned that continued contamination of farmland and water sources could have long-term consequences for agriculture and public health.
His comments come amid growing concerns over the impact of illegal mining on major rivers and other water bodies, as well as the degradation of agricultural land.
The galamsey crisis has become one of Ghana’s most persistent environmental challenges, with authorities and civil society organisations calling for stronger measures to protect the country’s natural resources.
Public reaction
The Archbishop’s call for prayer has generated mixed reactions on social media.
Some Ghanaians welcomed his intervention and agreed that prayer should form part of efforts to address the country’s challenges. Others, however, argued that prayer should be accompanied by practical measures, including stronger enforcement of mining laws, protection of forest reserves and accountability for individuals involved in illegal mining.
The debate has therefore shifted beyond the role of religion to a broader question of how Ghana can combine spiritual, political and practical interventions to tackle illegal mining.
The fight against galamsey
The Forestry Commission has recently warned that illegal miners are returning to forest reserves with new mining equipment after enforcement operations, prompting calls for more permanent security and monitoring arrangements.
The latest comments from Archbishop Duncan-Williams add a religious dimension to the continuing national conversation about how Ghana can protect its water bodies, forests and agricultural lands from further degradation.
