Galamsey, the local term for illegal mining in Ghana, has become a pressing issue. As Africa’s leading gold producer, Ghana sees about 35% of its gold extracted by small-scale miners, many of whom operate unlawfully.
“Scientific literature highlights the lack of political will, public education, funding, and corruption as some of the key challenges in environmental safeguarding…”.
Taking care of God’s world by responsibly caring for God’s creatures (Genesis 1) and by “tending the garden” (Genesis 2) was our first assignment from God. We are all called to be keepers of God’s garden.
There is a valid hermeneutic of suspicion regarding science and scientists. But let nobody write off scientists as fools. Knee-jerk ideological ‘denialism’ is ignorant and irresponsible, and can endanger lives for generations to come.
The youth are inherently energized for change. No wonder, history is dotted with episodes of young people’s protests that forced positive and substantive societal changes. Our times cannot be different.
Pope Francis’ recent teachings on ecology complement what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says about being Christian, adding that it is our responsibility to care for creation and not to ‘steal’ resources from future generations.
