#StopGalamseyNow
Protests erupted in Accra, Ghana, as demonstrators demanded the release of 53 activists arrested during anti-illegal mining protests. The…
Protests erupted in Accra, Ghana, as demonstrators demanded the release of 53 activists arrested during anti-illegal mining protests. The three-day “StopGalamseyNow” protests, led by Oliver Mawuse Barker Vormawor, aim to pressure the government to end illegal mining. Oliver and 11 others were remanded in custody, with reports indicating Oliver is ill. Despite President Akufo-Addo’s plea for more time, organised labour confirmed a nationwide strike planned for 10 October 2024, citing dissatisfaction with the president’s response to illegal mining despite his reaffirmed commitment to addressing the illegal mining issue. The group demanded that the president implement long-term solutions to combat the problem.
Over the past two weeks, Ghana has witnessed a wave of demonstrations, strike actions, and mounting pressure from Organised Labour, the nation’s largest labour association, revolving around one central demand: the government’s immediate intervention to stop illegal mining, widely known as galamsey. President Akufo-Addo’s recent comments on France 24 that his government does not prevent protests surprised many Ghanaians, especially given that the Ghana Police Service had attempted to halt some demonstrations citing security concerns. As Ghana approaches its 7 December Presidential and Parliamentary elections, about two months away, the persistence of strikes, demonstrations, and the detention of protestors has added to the government’s unpopularity. A significant portion of the youth are asking the government to take decisive action against illegal mining. What complicates the issue is the opposing pressure from illegal miners themselves. In a twist, these miners have also protested in mining areas, demanding that the government halt its anti-galamsey efforts. For years, combating galamsey has been a politically sensitive issue, as illegal mining is deeply tied to electoral outcomes. President Akufo-Addo admitted that his government’s initial crackdown on illegal mining during his first term led to significant political backlash. The ruling NPP lost a number of its parliamentary seats in mining regions, making it difficult to fully commit to the fight against galamsey without considering the electoral consequences. Also, some government officials and party elites have been accused of being involved in illegal mining operations, further complicating any attempt to address the issue head-on. However, the public’s message is clear: Ghanaians want their polluted water bodies, devastated forests, and destroyed farmlands restored. Many are concerned about the loss of key cash crops like cocoa due to environmental degradation but the government’s dilemma lies in balancing these urgent demands with the political cost of fighting galamsey, leaving them in a tight corner as election day approaches.