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The moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Rt Rev. Dr Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, has called on Ghanaians to unite and fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
"The future of our nation is at stake because galamsey is destroying several water bodies, and it is important that we come together to fight the menace," he said.
Rt Rev. Dr Kwakye was speaking during the inauguration of a new manse built by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Okere, Daniel Kwaku Botwe, and his family for the Emmanuel Congregation of the PCG at Mabang in the Ahafo Ano North Municipality in the Ashanti Region last Sunday.
The facility is a walled five-bed room apartment with an office.
Newly constructed manse
The former Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), who was born and bred in the community, constructed the facility in memory of his late father, E. M. Dako, who was a Catechist of the Emmanuel Congregation in Mabang from 1958-1971.
The late Dako was also the Headteacher of the Mabang Presbyterian School.
Mr Botwe, who came with his family to dedicate the facility to the church, also presented a cheque for GH¢50,000 to support the construction of a church building.
Rt Rev. Dr Kwakye expressed the need for Ghanaians to protect the country for the future generation, "so our children can say we have left them a good legacy."
"That is why today young people of the PCG across the country have put on red to show how we are worried and concerned about what is going on," he said.
Rt Rev. Dr Kwakye said God had given Ghanaians all the things in this world, and it was their responsibility to take good care of them.
On the December 7 general election, he urged the public to do what was right and focus on conducting a clean and peaceful election.
"Let's place our trust in the Lord, especially as we are preparing for the general election, knowing that there are some agitations causing tension.
"We want to ask that as a nation let us put ourselves together, do what is right and focus on conducting a clean and peaceful election," he said.
Rt Rev. Dr Kwakye said the church was proud of the achievements of the late Dako for raising his children in the church and community.
He commended them for pooling resources to boost the infrastructure development of the church and the Mabang Presbyterian School, where Mr Botwe started his educational journey.
For his part, Mr Botwe said he had constantly supported the church and the community because of the training and discipline he received from them, which had helped to shape his life.
Mr Botwe said he took the decision to build the facility during the church's 100th anniversary celebration in 2021 to honour his late father, the church and the town.
He explained that the old mission house, which was constructed before he was born 66 years ago, was in a poor state.
Mr Botwe said the project started three years ago and was funded through proceeds from their farm because his late father was interested in farming.
He said the family had established the Master Dako Memorial Foundation to support the aged, health and educational activities in areas where his late father worked.
"We are not supporting the communities for any recognition or praises; we find joy in supporting people and communities. That is how we were brought up," he said.
Mr Botwe urged the public to always remember to give back to their communities, irrespective of their relationship with the communities since such actions
would help inspire the younger generation.
The acting President of the Mabang Traditional Council, Nana Buabeng Ampaw, appealed to politicians and their supporters to undertake their campaigns devoid of insults and violence.
He said politics was not about fighting but sharing of ideas to promote the development of the country.
