Human rights lawyer Charles Juanah has voiced strong criticism of the ongoing prayer walks organized by some churches in response to illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

Speaking at a press conference,Mr Juanah acknowledged the severe impact of galamsey on Ghana’s water bodies, noting that it poses a risk of requiring water imports in the future.

However, he expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of protests and prayer walks as viable solutions to the issue.

Mr Juanah emphasized that the estimated three million individuals involved in galamsey are unlikely to be swayed by prayer protests or street demonstrations.

He suggested that the timing of these church-led initiatives appears politically motivated, with some politicians exploiting the situation to gain leverage ahead of the upcoming elections.

He also raised concerns that the current climate of heightened tension, exacerbated by unemployment, could lead to unrest.

He urged the demonstrators to reconsider their actions, asserting that now is not the appropriate time for protests, especially given the existing high levels of national tension.

Mr Juanah recommended that the galamsey crisis should be addressed by the incoming president, as President Akufo-Addo's term is drawing to a close, leaving little room for significant change.

The lawyer stressed that genuine solutions to galamsey will require collaboration between citizens and security forces rather than church-led prayer walks.

He questioned the biblical foundation for such actions, stating, “The Bible never said anywhere that going on a prayer walk can stop galamsey.

If you want God’s help, go into your room and pray.”

Mr Juanah warned that excessive politicization, even within churches, is contributing to rising tensions in the country.

He urged for calm as the nation approaches the elections, calling for a peaceful electoral process and a unified approach to resolving the galamsey crisis once the new president takes office.