Have a personal or library account? Click to login
Wisdom, Salvation and the Environmental Crisis: The Case of Proverbs 2 and the Galamsey (Illegal Mining) Menace in Ghana Cover

Wisdom, Salvation and the Environmental Crisis: The Case of Proverbs 2 and the Galamsey (Illegal Mining) Menace in Ghana

By: Kojo Okyere  
Open Access
|Oct 2025

References

  1. Abdulai, Abdul-Gafaru. “FINDINGS: Competitive Politics and the Challenge of Combating Illegal Mining in Ghana.” Effective States and Inclusive Development (ESID), June 1, 2017. Accessed 22nd August, 2024. http://www.effective-states.org/beyond-the-resurces-course-the-poltical-econnomy-of-minninng-and-inclusive-development-in-ghana/.
  2. Addy, Felicia S., and Shikshya Adhikari. “Galamsey in Ghana: Mitigating its Negative Effects.” WIIS Policy Brief, February 2021. Accessed 22nd September, 2024 https://wiisglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/Galamsey-in-Ghanna-Mitigating-its-Negative-Effects.pdf.
  3. Afriyie, Kwadwo, John K. Ganle, and Janet A. A. Adomako. “The Good in Evil: A Discourse Analysis of the Galamsey Industry in Ghana.” Oxford Development Studies 44, no. 4 (2016): 1–19.
  4. Agyin-Birikorang, Seth. “Silenced Pulpits: Ghanaian Churches and the Mining Crisis.” Journal of African Christian Thought 24, no. 1 (2021): 34–38.
  5. Asamoah-Gyadu, J. Kwabena. “Pentecostalism and the Culture of Extraction in Ghana.” Pneuma 37 (2015): 112–115.
  6. Asori, Moses, et al. “Is Illegal Mining Socio-Politically Entrenched? An Opinion Piece of the Interaction between Formal Politics and Chief Dominance in Mineral Governance, and its Influence on Fighting Galamsey in Ghana.” GeoJournal 88, no. 2 (2023): 1953–1956. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-022-10725-1.
  7. Aragon, Fernando M., and Juan P. Rud. Mining, Pollution and Agricultural Productivity: Evidence from Ghana. Discussion Papers dp12-08. Department of Economics, Simon Fraser University, 2012.
  8. Aryee, Benjamin N. A., Bernard K. Ntibery, and Evans Atorkui. “Trends in the Small-Scale Mining of Precious Minerals in Ghana: A Perspective on its Environmental Impact.” Journal of Cleaner Production 11, no. 2(2003): 131–140.
  9. Bauckham, Richard. Bible and Ecology: Rediscovering the Community of Creation. London: Darton, Longman & Todd, 2010.
  10. Bujo, Bénézet. African Theology in the 21st Century: The Contribution of the Pioneers. Nairobi: Paulines Publications Africa, 2009.
  11. Collins, Kenneth J. The Theology of John Wesley: Holy Love and the Shape of Grace. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2007.
  12. Eduful, Michael, et al. “The Illegal Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (Galamsey) ‘Menace’ in Ghana: Is Military-Style Approach the Answer?” Resources Policy 48 (2020):1-14.
  13. Fox, Michael V. “The Pedagogy of Proverbs 2.” Journal of Biblical Literature 113, no. 2 (1994): 233–243.
  14. Fox, “Ideas of Wisdom in Proverbs 1-9,” Journal of Biblical Literature 116, no. 4 (1997):613-633.
  15. Ghana Academy of Arts and Science. “Statement on Illegal Mining.” Accessed 30th June, 2024. https://gaas-gh. org/?r3d=8240.
  16. Ghana News Agency. “Documentary Depicts Galamsey Children ‘Swimming’ in Mercury and Engaging in Labour, Drugs and Prostitution.” January 18, 2024. Accessed 14th September, 2024 https://myjoyonline.com/documentary-depicts-galamsey-children-swimming-in-mercury-and-engaging-in-labour-drugs-and-prostitution/.
  17. Ghana Statistical Service. 2021 Population and Housing Census: General Report. Accra: Ghana Statistical Service, 2021.
  18. Goldingay, John. “The ‘Salvation History’ Perspective and the ‘Wisdom’ Perspective within the Context of Biblical Theology.” The Evangelical Quarterly 51, no. 4 (1979): 194–207.
  19. Grogan, Geoffrey W. “The Experience of Salvation in the Old and New Testaments.” Vox Evangelica 5 (1967): 4–26.
  20. Hilson, Gavin. Contextual Review of the Ghanaian Small-scale Mining Industry. MMSD and IIED, 2002. http://pubs. iied.org/pds/G00722.pdf.
  21. Hilson, Gavin. “The Environmental Impact of Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana: Identifying Problems and Possible Solutions.” The Geographical Journal 168, no. 1 (2002): 57–72.
  22. Hilson, “The Environmental Impact of Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana: Identifying Problems and Possible Solutions.” The Geographical Journal 168, no. 1 (2002): 57–72.
  23. Hilson, “Championing the Rhetoric? ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ in Ghana’s Mining Sector.” Resources Policy 53 (2017): 153–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2017.06.011.
  24. Hilson, Gavin, and Sadia M. Banchirigah. “Are Alternative Livelihood Projects Alleviating Poverty in Mining Communities? Experiences from Ghana.” Journal of Development Studies 45, no. 2 (2009): 172–196.
  25. Jenkins, Willis. Ecologies of Grace: Environmental Ethics and Christian Theology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008. Accessed 13th January, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195328516.003.0005.
  26. Maddox, Randy L. Responsible Grace: John Wesley’s Practical Theology. Nashville: Kingswood Books, 1994.
  27. Millar, Suzanna R. “The Path Metaphor and the Construction of a Schicksalwirkende Tatsphäre in Proverbs 10:1–22:16.” Vetus Testamentum 69, no. 1 (2019): 96–98.
  28. Moo, Douglas J., and Jonathan A. Moo. Creation Care: A Biblical Theology of the Natural World. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018.
  29. Mugambi, J. N. K. African Christian Theology: Adaptation or Incarnation. Nairobi: Acton, 1995.
  30. Murphy, Roland E. Wisdom Literature: Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Canticles, Ecclesiastes, and Esther. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1981.
  31. Murphy, Roland E. Word Biblical Commentary: Proverbs. Word, Incorporated, 2002.
  32. NewsWatch GH. “Methodist Church Ghana to Plant 1.4 Million Trees in 2021.” News Watch Ghana, June 2021. Accessed 20th January, 2025 https://newswatchgh.com/methodist-church-ghana-to-plant-1-4-million-trees-in-june-2021/.
  33. Nkrumah, Kwame. Neo-Colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism. London: Panaf, 1965.
  34. O’Collins, Gerald. “Universal Wisdom.” In Salvation for All: God’s Other Peoples. Oxford Academic, 2008. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199238903.003.0015.
  35. Oduyoye, Mercy Amba. African Women’s Theology. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2001.
  36. Ofori, Benjamin Y., et al. “Climate Change Knowledge, Attitude and Perception of Undergraduate Students in Ghana.” PLOS Climate 2, no. 6 (2023): e0000215. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000215.
  37. Ofori et al. “A Ecological Study of Galamsey Activities in Ghana and their Physiological Toxicity.” Asian Journal of Toxicology, Environmental, and Occupational Health 2, no. 1 (2024): 40–57. https://doi.org/10.61511/ajteoh. v2i1.2024.395.
  38. Osman, Najat, et al. “Assessing the Impact of Illegal Small-Scale Mining (Galamsey) on Cocoa Farming and Farmer Livelihood: A Case Study in the Amansie West District of Ghana.” Pelita Perkebunan 38, no. 1 (2022): 76–79.
  39. Perdue, Leo G. Wisdom and Creation: The Theology of Wisdom Literature. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994.
  40. Robbins, Paul. Political Ecology: A Critical Introduction. 2nd ed. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2012.
  41. Sagar, P. Victor Prema. “‘Salvation’ in the Old Testament.” Indian Journal of Theology 18, no. 2–3 (1969): 197–204.
  42. Santmire, H. Paul. The Travail of Nature: The Ambiguous Ecological Promise of Christian Theology. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1985.
  43. Scobie, C. H. H. “The Place of Wisdom in Biblical Theology.” BTB 14, no. 2 (1984): 43–48.
  44. Skehan, Patrick W. Studies in Israelite Poetry & Wisdom. CBA, 1971.
  45. Seffor-Armah, Y., et al. “The Impact of Small-Scale Mining Activities on the Level of Mercury in the Environment: The Case of Prestea and its Environs.” Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 262, no. 3 (2004): 685–690.
  46. Smith, Gary V. “Is There a Place for Job’s Wisdom in Old Testament Theology?” Trinity Journal 13, no. 1 (1992): 3–6.
  47. Teschner, B. A. “Small-Scale Mining in Ghana: The Government and the Galamsey.” Resources Policy 37, no. 3 (2012): 308–314.
  48. The Methodist Church Ghana (@themethodistchurchghana). “Presiding’s Take on Church Leaders Visit to Galamsey Site.” TikTok, November 28, 2024. Accessed 15th April, 2025. https://www.tiktok.com/@themethodistchurchghana/video/742045509684206310
  49. von Rad, Gerhard. Old Testament Theology. Vol. 1, The Theology of Israel’s Historical Traditions. Translated by D. M. G. Stalker. New York: Harper & Row, 1962.
  50. Waltke, Bruce K. The Book of Proverbs: Chapters 1–15. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2004.
  51. Wesley, John. A Plain Account of Christian Perfection. London: Printed by J. Paramore, 1741.
  52. Widder, Wendy L. “The Peti and the Power of Speech in Proverbs 1–9.” OTE 35, no. 1 (2022): 124–140.
  53. Wright, G. E. God Who Acts: Biblical Theology as Recital. SBT 8. London: SCM Press, 1952.
  54. Yeboah, S. A. “Digging Deeper: The Impact of Illegal Mining on Economic Growth and Development in Ghana.” Munich Personal RePEc Archive, January 15, 2023. https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/117641/.
Language: English
Page range: 92 - 103
Published on: Oct 21, 2025
Published by: Wesley House, Cambridge
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 2 issues per year

© 2025 Kojo Okyere, published by Wesley House, Cambridge
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.