Rev Frimpong Manso: Our Mission Wasn’t To Pray Against Galamsey; We Only Prayed As Our Faith Requires
Presiding Chairman of the Assemblies of God Church, Rev Dr Paul Frimpong Manso has reacted to social media buzz about their prayer at a mining site during a tour.
Over the weekend, some clergymen in Ghana visited the Eastern region to inspect some galamsey sites and the effect of illegal mining on the lands, river bodies and farmlands.
This was followed by a circulation of a video of the religious leaders engaged in prayer which got tongues wagging on social media.
Media personality Nana Aba Anamoah was among the Ghanaians who thought the action of the leaders were out of place.
She tweeted, “To the ‘men of God’ who toured the galamsey sites and prayed to God to end the devastation. Read this LOUDLY…God will not do by miracle, what he has blessed us brains to do”.
Reacting to this today, Rev Frimpong Manso explained their mission at the site has been misinterpreted.
“Our aim wasn’t to go and pray for galamsey to come to an end but we went to get first-hand experience of the extent of devastation so that we know how to advocate against it”, he told some media personnel.
He added, “But as Christians, we begin with prayer and end with the same”.
“Upon our return, the narrative was that the clergymen went to pray against galamsey. Some people have mocked us but that is no problem at all. In case you didn’t get the context earlier, we have forgiven you. Forgive us as well because we will be able to fight the menace together”.
Reporting on the expedition, he said that the land is in ruins.
“The land is in ruins. There are chagfans, and excavators. We suspect illegal miners were at work but they halted their operation upon seeing us. Some Ghanaians have disappointed the nations”.
“…Galamsey is devastating. We are destroying our lands and water bodies- Pra, Ankobra, Tano, Offin, Densu.”
“Over there, I asked, ‘don’t we have DCEs, Assembly members, Forestry Commission, Police officers and an MP here?’ I didn’t blame anyone because Jesus didn’t do that to the woman who was caught in the art of fornication”.
The Clergymen have fashioned out some measures they will put in place as religious leaders to contribute to the fight against illegal mining- which they aim to put to rest by June 2023.
“We have decided to petition the President about this”, he began, “We will from today put on red bands. We will also fast and pray for forgiveness from God for destroying natural resources.
We will propagate the menace of illegal things both in our churches and outside. By June 2023, this must be over. There is free SHS now so any child who is spotted around galamsey sites must be reported to the Assembly, the traditional authority or a pastor there so we take it up from there”.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
