Prophet Nigel Gaisie, founder and leader of Prophetic Hill Chapel, has strongly criticised traditional leaders for their inaction over illegal mining, also known as galamsey, which is devastating Ghana’s environment.
In a Facebook post on Monday, October 5, 2025, Prophet Gaisie expressed his frustration over the menace, stating that the burden of curbing galamsey should rather rest on the chiefs instead of the central government.
He believes that traditional leaders possess the power to instill environmental discipline on their land and should take responsibility for stopping galamsey activities.
“The galamsey problem should not be placed at the doorstep of the presidency (regardless party A or B) but at the feet of our local authority (chiefs and queens),” he emphasised.
He opined that if chiefs in affected jurisdictions declare a ban on galamsey with genuine intentions, no one would dare engage in the practice, warning of the consequences of the menace on the future of the country.
“We are all a bunch of hypocrites and pretenders. We are looking while the future of our kids will be destroyed by this galamsey menace,” he stressed.
The man of God pointed out the respect and power traditional authorities wield, citing examples such as traditional directives and cultural observance which are respected and honoured by all.
“For instance, when chiefs declare that certain days are forbidden to go to farm or enter a specific territory, nobody dares break the directive,” he said. He also mentioned the fishing restrictions in some parts of southern Ghana, where fishing on Tuesdays is prohibited, and fisherfolk duly comply.
Nigel Gaisie questioned why similar respect couldn’t be accorded to fighting galamsey, asking if anyone would disobey the Okyenhene if he ordered a ban on galamsey in Akyem Abuakwa.
“Can someone tell me that residents of Akyem Abuakwa or anyone else will disobey the Okyenhene if he orders that nobody does galamsey on his soil?” he asked.
He acknowledged that while Ghana’s sovereignty has been surrendered to the central government, the true will to fight galamsey rests with traditional authorities.
“I really loved the way residents of Kumasi respected authority and heeded to the directive from Manhyia not to step out on the Thursday the late Asantehemaa was sent home,” he noted, highlighting the power of traditional leaders in enforcing certain things. “This tells the power our traditional authority wields in ensuring the sanctity of the environment they lord over.”
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama met with civil society organizations (CSOs) on Friday, October 3, 2025, to discuss ways to address the galamsey menace.
The President had earlier emphasised in a meeting with journalists that declaring a state of emergency was not the immediate solution, saying there were other options to be explored.
The galamsey crisis has sparked widespread concern, with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana describing it as a public health emergency due to water pollution and destruction of forest reserves.
Nigel Gaisie’s statements highlight the need for collective responsibility and action to mitigate this environmental disaster which requires a comprehensive approach, involving both traditional leaders and the government, to protect Ghana’s environment and ensure a sustainable future for all.
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