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A group of clergymen called Council of Faith has urged the NPP Government led by President Nana Akufo-Addo to fight Galamsey, end the nuisance of the Vigilante groups and make steps to retrieve unpaid dividends of mining companies in Ghana.

Addressing the media at a Press Conference at the Abbeam Institute of Technology in Accra, Rev Dr. Abbeam Amponsah Danso, the Chairman of group said that the Council is against any act to destroy the environment.

“We as a council of faith completely condemn any act that aid in destroying the environment……We believe it is the duty of the President according to Art 257 (6) and Section 1 of the Mineral and Mining Act 2006, and Water Resources Commission Act 522, 1996 Sec 12, to ensure that our resources and river bodies are properly.”

The council further advised government to involve Traditional rulers (Chiefs) in policies governing mining activities in order to help in overseeing and protecting the resources since they are custodians of the land.

The astute men of God again advised the Ministry of Finance and other relevant agencies as a matter of urgency to formulate means to retrieve unpaid dividends from 18 Mining Companies as captured in the page 10 of the Auditors General’s report on the Consolidated Funds.

“We are disappointed and shocked to observe that most mining companies which are operating in Ghana have failed to pay their dividends to the government. According to the page 10 of the 2014 Auditor General’s Report on Consolidated Funds, only four (4) out of Twenty –two (22) mining companies have paid their dividends to the government of Ghana over the past 10 years. We say this is very unfortunate and unacceptable.”

On the issue of Vigilante groups, the council also called on the law enforcement agencies to ensure that citizens respect the rule of Law without fear or favour.