Youth-Led 3-Day Anti-Galamsey Protests Culminate in Vigil at Independence Square
The three-day demonstration against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, led by youth activists, concluded on Saturday, October 5, with a vigil at the Independence Square in Accra.
The protest was aimed at urging the government to take decisive action against galamsey and also to demand the release of 53 citizens who had been arrested during a previous protest two weeks earlier.
The demonstration began with a 12-kilometre march from Okponglo, near the University of Ghana, to the Independence Square, where protesters, dressed in red and black, chanted for an end to the environmental destruction caused by galamsey.
At the same time, Ghanaians living in New York held a protest in front of the Ghanaian Embassy, calling for an end to galamsey and the release of those detained.
Among the several messages inscribed on the placards used by the demonstrators during the protest include;
“Ghana’s youth united against environmental destruction. Listen to us! #StopGalamsey #FreeTheCitizens #NorvanReports”
“Our environment is not for sale. Protect Ghana’s natural heritage! #StopGalamsey #FreeTheCitizens #NorvanReports”
“We march for clean water, healthy forests, and a sustainable future. Hear our voice! #StopGalamsey #FreeTheCitizens #NorvanReports”
“Clean rivers, green forests, bright future. Is that too much to ask? #StopGalamsey #FreeTheCitizens #NorvanReports”
“Galamsey steals from our children. We won’t be silent anymore. #StopGalamsey #FreeTheCitizens #NorvanReports”
“Golden promises won’t feed us when our lands are poisoned. End galamsey today! #StopGalamsey #FreeTheCitizens #NorvanReports”
“Jobs for the boys shouldn’t cost us our future. We demand sustainable alternatives to galamsey. #StopGalamsey #FreeTheCitizens #NorvanReports”
“Clean rivers, green forests, bright future. Is that too much to ask? #StopGalamsey #FreeTheCitizens #NorvanReports”
“Truth to power: Our land is not your goldmine. Protect Ghana! #StopGalamsey #FreeTheCitizens #NorvanReports”
“We are the guardians of tomorrow. Stop galamsey now! #StopGalamsey #FreeTheCitizens #NorvanReports”
“Our rivers are dying, our future is at stake. We demand action now! #StopGalamsey #FreeTheCitizens #NorvanReports”
One of the pivotal moments leading to the protest was a discussion on a NorvanReports X Space (formerly Twitter Space), titled “Golden Promises, Muddy Realities: The True Cost of Galamsey to Ghana’s Future,” in which social media activist KalyJay, was encouraged to lead the protest by notable personalities such as Joe Jackson, CEO of Dalex Finance, UNDP expert Dr. Ishmael Dodoo, and Ben Boakye, Executive Director of the African Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP).
Mr Joe Jackson was at the frontline on the third day of the demonstration to participate in the calls for an end to galamsey, a pressing menace that has destroyed Ghana’s land and water bodies.
