On October 3, 2024, in Accra, demonstrators held placards calling for the government to take action against illegal gold mining and the release of activists who had been detained during a prior protest.
On October 3, 2024, hundreds of Ghanaians—the majority of them university students—demonstrated in the streets of the country’s capital, Accra, calling for an immediate end to illicit mining operations, or “galamsey” as they are known locally. In addition, the marchers wanted the 54 anti-galamsey protestors who had been arrested the previous month to be released.
On Thursday, hundreds of Ghanaians—the most of them university students—demonstrated in the streets of the country’s capital, Accra, calling for an immediate end to illicit mining. In addition to calling for the release of 54 activists who were arrested last month for staging protests against illegal mining, the demonstrators intend to hold three days of rallies.
Prior to the December presidential elections in the West African nation, the government’s management of illegal mining—particularly its effects on natural resources and rural livelihoods—has turned into a contentious topic. Future generations would suffer if our authorities do not act now, University of Ghana student Delali Asante told AFP. The demonstrators, dressed in red and black, danced through the streets of the capital while chanting the national hymn of Ghana and performing patriotic songs.
Several demonstrators brought bottles of contaminated water from the Pra and Birim rivers, two of the largest in the country of west Africa, to draw attention to the terrible effects of illicit mining on the environment. A large number of Ghanaians get their daily drinking water from the contaminated rivers.
Asante declared, “Our water bodies are being destroyed, and soon we’ll have nothing left.” “We cannot cultivate crops on poisoned land, nor can we drink gold.” Henry Tagoe, the protest leader, declared, “We cannot stand by and watch as our rivers and water bodies are poisoned with mercury.” “Our future and our environment are being destroyed by illegal mining.” Labour unions announced that they will launch a nationwide walkout on October 10 in an effort to compel authorities to act immediately.
In addition, demonstrators are calling for the release of 54 members of the Democracy Hub pressure organisation, who were detained for two weeks on September 22 and 23 after blocking highways and setting tires on fire. This action infuriated both the general public and political figures.
Its struggles with the economic downturn and raging inflation since 2022 have forced it to default on its international debt. A rising number of cocoa growers have sold their properties to unauthorised mining companies as a result of financial difficulties.
Illegal mining, which uses chemicals to extract the gold, has not only devoured agricultural land but also contaminated rivers and water tables. Tagoe declared, “We will not stop until we see real change.” “This goes beyond simply us. This has to do with safeguarding Ghana’s future.
