“Nobody, not even the President can stop me from cutting down my cocoa farm for galamsey.”

“ I don’t see anything wrong with galamsey, it is now the money spinner.”

“Galamsey all the way…”

“To hell with the call to stop galamsey.”

These are some of the comments from illegal small-scale miners in Ghana. They were speaking in favour of illegal mining being despised by  environmentalists and a cross section of the population.

Galamsey in Ghanaian local parlance means ”gather them and sell. ”Illegal small-scale mining has been going on in Ghana for many years. It has left in its trail, the loss of lives in abandoned mines that caved in on them. There have also been casualties between security agents and illegal miners. The destruction of forest reserves,  pollution water bodies with dangerous including chemicals such as mercury are yet to show their real effects. Medical doctors say heavy metals in  water and food could be the cause of increasing number of  deformities among babies being born.  

Pix of impact  of  galamsey showing discolored river by a community.

Mining of gold from the Gold Coast (former name of Ghana) has been massive since Portuguese explorers landed at Elmina  (The Mine) in  15th century. Local and foreigners have intensified mining of precious minerals  almost everywhere traces are found in Ghana.

Illegal mining  activities along rivers have polluted  the waters so much that the water treatment company. Ghana Water Company  has to buy and use more chemicals to treat water. The gold rush attracted all manner of  local and foreign populations to carry out illegal activities. All these  have become a matter of concern to the Ghana government, and  environmental NGO’s.

 In 2024 civil society organisations  had to organise demonstrations against illegal mining.  To ban or not to ban became a big  political issue.  Banning  illegal mining was not only  civil society issue but  a political one as well.  Some parties promised to ban  illegal mining.

Quakers in Ghana  as members of the Christian Council of Ghana, CCG are concerned about illegal mining.  Looking  at the effects of illegal mining on the environment  it can best be described as ecocide.  Back  in 2022, CCG led church leaders  to the Eastern Region to assess the damage being caused by the illegal miners.

 Quakers  found something improper and unsustainable about galamsey. Sustainability is one the testimonies of Quakers. A testimony to Quakers is the way they testify or bear witness to their beliefs in their everyday life. A testimony is therefore not a belief in itself but it is committed action arising out of a Quaker’s  experience.

To Quakers, sustainability means living in harmony with the earth and its resources while promoting social justice and equality. It is about recognizing the interconnectedness of all living things and taking responsibility for our actions to ensure a livable future.

Quakers and Quaker Earthcare Witness say  the following about sustainability “we interpret sustainability to mean a condition in which natural systems and social systems survive and thrive together indefinitely.” The quote highlights the interconnectedness of human and natural systems, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to sustainability.

Keith Helmuth, 1990, for Britain Yearly Mtg. 1990 stated that   “We must be perfectly clear about the implications of undertaking this responsibility. It is more than just setting up household recycling bins, growing organic vegetables, or riding a bike to work. It is more than a talking job.  It is a renovation which will change everything: the way we do business, the way we eat, the way we travel, the houses we build, the products and services we can expect and the prices we pay for them, the way we feel about trees, and the way we worship God.”  This quote highlights the depth of commitment required for true sustainability, going beyond small actions to transform our entire way of living.

Earlier when Development became a buzz word, in the late 1980’s  the United Nations World Commission on Environment & Development suggested  that sustainable development means, “…to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland Report, 1987).

Quaker testimony on sustainability shares many similarities with modern trends, but its roots and approach are distinct.

Similarities with Modern Trends

  1. Emphasis on Environmental Stewardship: Quakers have long emphasized the importance of caring for the earth and its resources, aligning with modern environmentalism and sustainability movements.
  2. Focus on Social Justice: Quakers have historically advocated for social justice, recognizing the disproportionate impact of environmental degradation on vulnerable communities, which is a key aspect of modern sustainability discourse.
  3. Simple Living: Quakers have traditionally valued simplicity, reducing consumption and waste, and promoting a more mindful approach to living, which is echoed in modern trends like minimalism and sustainable living.

In the light of the above which Quakers subscribe to, it  is understandable that members of Hill House do not subscribe to  illegal mining.

 Distinctive Aspects of Quaker Testimony

  1. Spiritual Roots: Quaker testimony on sustainability is grounded in spiritual values, such as respect for creation, stewardship, and the interconnectedness of all living things.
  2. Long-term Perspective: Quakers have historically taken a long-term view, considering the impact of their actions on future generations, which is a key aspect of sustainability.
  3. Holistic Approach: Quaker testimony on sustainability encompasses not only environmental concerns but also social justice, economic equity, and personal transformation.

 

 

Differences from Modern Trends

  1. Spiritual vs. Secular Approach: While modern sustainability trends often focus on scientific or economic solutions, Quaker testimony is rooted in spiritual values and a sense of moral responsibility.
  2. Comprehensive Approach: Quaker testimony on sustainability is not limited to environmental issues but encompasses a broader understanding of sustainability that includes social justice, economic equity, and personal transformation.
  3. Historical Context: Quaker testimony on sustainability has its roots in the 17th-century Quaker movement, predating modern environmentalism and sustainability movements.

In summary, while Quaker testimony on sustainability shares many similarities with modern trends, its spiritual roots, long-term perspective, and holistic approach set it apart. Quaker testimony offers a unique perspective on sustainability that emphasizes the importance of spiritual values, social justice, and personal transformation in achieving a more sustainable world.

The sustainability journey at Hill House Meeting started long.  They are largely guided by other testimonies including simplicity. Throughout the 100 years of Hill House, friends have been worshipping at a modest meeting place.  The picture below shows the simple thatch shed where the pioneers were worshipping in the 1930’s.

Picture of Hill House in the 1960’s. Picture was taken by John Ward, a Quaker from Britain was teaching at Prempeh College in Kumasi.

Hill House has humble beginnings. So was the birth of Christ and others who brought improvement in the lives of others they interacted with. 

With time  members  of HHM  replaced the thatch with tiles because of  frequent replacement. 

The present generation inherited a unique  serene meeting place where more trees have been planted.  The simplicity of the openness of the structure has been maintained after part of the meeting place was bulldozed by the family who gave the land to Achimota School.  The family mistakenly thought we were  encroachers on the land. But we peacefully resolved the problem when we  provided  evidence that  Quakers have been meeting there 1935 as a plaque embedded on one of the plaques shows.

The openness of  the meeting place creates a cool place for  worship  without  the need for electricity for light, fans and air-conditioners.

Although residences are hemming in on Hill House it is still a  location isolated  from the hustle and bustle  that comes with urban communities.   

We continue to add on to the simplicity Hill House with planting of more trees and plants.  

After the bulldozing part of Hill House, with support of friends we were able to add a pergola at the front of the shed to accommodate more visitors.

We have realised although the ‘concrete jungle’ is spreading all over, Hill House still maintains its natural features of trees,  flowers.(Unfortunately  human activities have driven away all the four-legged animals).  HHM can  make the best of the resources left. Without destroying  the environment, we can improve develop the place as a learning, meditation and relaxation.

 To capture gallons of rain that end up as run off, we plan we  to harvest rain for plants and gardening. We plan also to compost leaves and some biodegradable material  for gardening. We intend  to use solar power for water and power needs.

We have in place  a warden’s quarters which needs finishing touches for keeping books and making the place habitable for a caretaker.

 What are your views about sustainability?

How can you assist us to achieve more on the sustainability front?

How can HHM encourage especially the youth in sustainability practices.

Share your comments, ideas as well as donations to 

Thank you.  

How can we add value to what we already have? Share your ideas with us, please.  This is an anniversary project.