Galamsey, Corruption And Poverty Threaten Ghana’s Future, Catholic Bishop Warns At Plenary Assembly

The Bishop of the Konongo-Mampong Diocese, Most Rev. John Opoku-Agyemang, has raised concerns over the devastating effects of illegal mining, corruption, political misrule and growing poverty, calling for renewed commitment to addressing the challenges confronting Ghana.

He said the destruction of the country’s water bodies and environment through illegal mining remained one of the major threats facing the nation, requiring urgent attention from both the Church and society.

Delivering a welcome address at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Plenary Assembly of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference at Our Lady of Grace SHS, Mampongteng, in the Konongo-Mampong Diocese on Monday, November 9, he observed that although the challenges facing Ghana had evolved over the years, the Church’s responsibility to speak against social injustice remained unchanged.

“Today, we may not worry too much about hospitals and simple maladies. We may not worry too much about malaria. We may not be too burdened with slavery and ignorance and the like.

However, we continue to face the current war of illegal mining that is destroying our river bodies and environment,” he stated.

He expressed concern that the Konongo-Mampong Diocese was not spared the effects of illegal mining, disclosing that some communities within the Diocese were actively involved in the practice.

He added that efforts to persuade those engaged in the activity to abandon it had proved difficult.

Most Rev. Opoku-Agyemang further identified corruption, political misrule, nepotism and favouritism as persistent national concerns that demanded serious attention.

He also criticised the commercialisation of religion and the proliferation of self-proclaimed prophets, warning about their implications for the Christian faith.

“We are concerned about the poverty around us, the unemployment and the eroding sense of hope for our young people,” he lamented.

Reflecting on the sacrifices of the early Catholic missionaries who arrived in Ghana nearly 150 years ago, he recalled how they endured malaria, cultural differences, tribal conflicts, slavery and limited social amenities to bring the Catholic faith to Ghana.

Many, he noted, lost their lives in the process but remained committed to their missionary calling.

He said the sacrifices of these missionaries should inspire the contemporary Church to confront present-day challenges with similar courage and determination.

Bishop Opoku-Agyemang called on the Bishops to devote time during the Plenary Assembly to identifying practical measures to address the challenges facing the country and the Church.

The 2026 Plenary Assembly is being held under the theme, “Communion, Participation and Mission: Preparing the Catholic Church in Ghana for Her 150th Anniversary.”

He expressed hope that the deliberations would produce meaningful outcomes for the Church and the country.