Council of Faith urges Government to fight galamsey, vigilante groups

Council of Faith, a group of astute men of God is urging the NPP Government led by HE Nana Akuffo – Addo to fight galamsey, deal with the vigilante groups nuisance and make steps to retrieve unpaid Dividends of mining companies in Ghana.

Speaking at a Press Conference at the Abbeam University in Accra, Rev DR Abbeam Amponsah Danso the Chairman of group said that the Council is against any act to destroy the environment.

“We as a council of faith completely Condemn any act that aid in destroying the environment……. We believe it is the duty of the President according to Art 257 (6) and Section 1 of the Mineral and Mining Act 2006, and Water Resources Commission Act 522, 1996 Sec 12, to ensure that our resources and river bodies are properly”

The council also advised government to involve Traditional rulers (Chiefs) in policies governing mining activities in order to help in managing and protecting the resources since they are custodians of the land.

Council of faith also advised the Ministry of Finance and all the other relevant agencies as a matter of urgency devise means to retrieve unpaid dividends from 18 Mining companies as captured in the page 10 of the Auditors report on the Consolidated funds.

“We are disappointed and shocked to observe that most mining companies are operating in Ghana have failed to pay their dividends to the government. According to the page 10 of the 2014 Auditor General’s Report Consolidated funds, only four (4) out of Twenty –two (22) mining companies have paid their dividends to the government of Ghana over the past 10 years. We say this as a very unfortunate and unacceptable”

On the issue of Vigilante groups, the council also called on the law enforcement agencies to ensure that citizens respect