The General Overseer of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has repeatedly emphasized his stance against the illegal mining sector, asserting that his call for prayers is not about opposition to law enforcement but rather about complementing efforts by security agencies and state institutions to enforce Ghana’s laws against illegal mining and gold smuggling. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, August 17, 2026, Archbishop Duncan-Williams stated that the spiritual dimension of the galamsey menace necessitates attention because, in his view, some individuals involved operate with what he describes as ‘powers from the other side.’
He explained that his position is not to police or enforce the law, but rather to pray for those involved to be empowered to do their jobs, highlighting the risks associated with the activities. He asserted that, ‘I am telling the people that we need to pray to deal with whatever is responsible for the lawlessness,’ emphasizing the need for divine intervention to address the issue. The Archbishop stated that resistance to enforcement could also make the fight against galamsey politically sensitive, particularly when people fail to appreciate the importance of responsibility and accountability. He explained that his concerns were informed by interactions he’s had while traveling outside Ghana and by calls from foreign nationals seeking access to Ghanaian gold following the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod). He recounted instances where foreign nationals had contacted him seeking assistance to establish communication with GoldBod after losing access to previous channels through which they had purchased gold.
He further elaborated that some foreign nationals have contacted him seeking assistance to establish communication with GoldBod after losing access to previous channels through which they had bought gold. The calls reinforced his view that there were interests seeking to influence how Ghana’s gold resources were mined and traded. Asked why some businesspeople would approach him to help them gain access to GoldBod, the Archbishop stated that he could not answer for them, claiming he could not address the matter for them. ‘I cannot answer that for them,’ he said. ‘But I just tell them, listen, I am a man of God. I don’t do gold business,’ he added, emphasizing his commitment to his religious duties.
He also broadened his concerns beyond galamsey, citing a wider culture of indiscipline and poor compliance with laws in Ghana. He referred to his experience in Kigali, Rwanda, where he observed widespread compliance with road-safety regulations, including the use of helmets by motorcycle riders. He said Ghana had laws governing many aspects of public life but often struggled to consistently enforce them. According to the Archbishop, the problem extends beyond illegal mining and reflects a broader challenge with discipline, accountability, and compliance. ‘There is a lot of indiscipline in the whole atmosphere in our upbringing,’ he said. He maintained that addressing such problems would require sustained efforts over time because the issue was deeply rooted in society. The Archbishop urged Ghanaians to view the fight against galamsey as a national responsibility and to support those enforcing the law while recognizing the risks involved. He said his call for prayer was therefore aimed at seeking protection and strength for the President, GoldBod leadership, security agencies, and others directly involved in the fight. ‘I am telling them, let’s pray for the members of the group, the chairman of the board, the CEOs and our military, national security, our police for protection,’ he said. He also stressed that his position should not be reduced to a religious argument or politicized, stating that the broader objective should be responsible mining, accountability, and protection of Ghana’s natural resources. The Archbishop concluded by reiterating the importance of addressing these problems through sustained efforts and emphasized the need for a unified approach to ensure the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s resources.
Source: MyJoyOnline
