The Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) has renewed its call for urgent national action against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, following the tragic helicopter crash that killed eight officials on August 6, 2025.

Speaking at the 25th General Assembly meeting at Kwahu Nkwatia, the Moderator of the PCG, Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, described the crash as a "solemn reminder of the urgent need for decisive and lasting measures to combat the illegal mining menace."

The moderator noted that the helicopter crash, which occurred in the Ashanti Region, underscores the severe risks posed by galamsey, which he described as a "significant national security threat".

The church's leadership expressed alarm over signs of increasing galamsey activity, despite recent government interventions.

Rev. Dr. Kwakye specifically highlighted the "release of seized excavators" and the "visible environmental devastation in several areas".

The Presbyterian Church of Ghana pledged to "liaise with other religious bodies in our resistance to galamsey" and called on the government, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders to address this "environmental injustice" with urgency.

Beyond the environmental impact, the moderator warned of a "troubling rise in school dropouts related to mining work".

He cited a shocking statistic, noting that "only 35% of teenagers in mining communities are enrolled in schools."

This alarming trend, Rev. Dr. Kwakye stated, requires urgent national action to reverse.

The church’s message emphasised that the fight against galamsey is not just about protecting Ghana’s forests, rivers, and underwater bodies but also about safeguarding the future of the nation’s youth.