Founder and general overseer of the Ebenezer Miracle Worship Centre, Prophet Dr. Ebenezer Adarkwa Yiadom has opposed to government’s decision to ban illegal mining popularly known as galamsey.

In his view, the gold in the earth was provided by God thus any method being used to extract it must not be deemed illegal.

He said he won’t hesitate to do galamsey in his auditorium if he is told there is gold in the earth.

“If I’m told there is gold in my church, I will thank God, pull down my pulpit and do galamsey here,” he stated.

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His comment follows a national hue and cry over the negative effects of galamsey leading to government issuing a three-week ultimatum for illegal miners to pack out of the lands.

The deadline elapsed last week with many of the illegal miners moving their excavators from the site but some defiant illegal miners, however, insist government rescind its decision to ban the activity in the country.

However, Prophet Ebenezer Adarkwa Yiadom maintained that there is nothing wrong with doing galamsey.

The illegal mining (galamsey) menace continues to serve as a threat to water bodies, aquatic life, and agriculture in the country.

Several efforts by previous governments including setting up an inter-ministerial taskforce in the previous administration seem to have proved futile.

The famous Pra and Tano rivers are among the most polluted water bodies in the mineral-rich Western Region.

Farming activities at many communities in the Ashanti Region, which are also endowed with precious minerals, have also been curtailed due to galamsey.