Stop Galamsey Now Protest
Stop Galamsey Now is a protest led by the Democracy Hub to put pressure on the Government of Ghana to enforce measures to stop illegal mining practices in Ghana.[1] It was a 3-day protest organised from 21 September 2024 and lasted until 23 September 2024. Protesters demanded a direct and decisive intervention from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in the form of a presidential order that stops all illegal mining activities, particularly in forest reserves and along key rivers.[2]
Background
Galamsey is a term used to describe illegal small mining activities near water bodies in Ghana.[3] The illegal nature of the mining activities has negative impacts on the environment. Most notably, major rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim have all been polluted from the use of harmful chemicals like mercury and cyanide.[4]
Protest
Day One – 21 September 2024
The protest began on the streets in front of the 37 Military Hospital. This led to the creation of police barriers to prevent protesters from getting access to the Jubilee House, which is the seat of the Government of Ghana. As a result, protesters burned flags of the ruling New Patriotic Party.[5]
Day Two – 22 September 2024
After the inconveniences caused by the blocking of the road, the Ghana Police service made requests to the protesters regarding a relocation.[6] When they refused to comply, several protesters were arrested.[7] There were 11 arrests including a 62-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl.[8][9]
Day Three – 23 September 2024
After the mass arrest of day two, protesters did not show up for the third and final day. Only two protesters showed up with placards and they were later arrested.[10]
Arrests and aftermath
In total, there were 49 arrests who were held in different prisons across the country. According to a member of the Democracy Hub's legal team, the arrested protesters were denied access to legal representation[11] and 39 of them were remanded into custody by a court in Accra.[12]
References
- ↑ "Three-day street protest against galamsey: when will the Catholic Church join the fight?". Catholic Trends. 21 September 2024. Archived from the original on 19 January 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
- ↑ Moro, Salifu Bagulube (21 September 2024). ""End Galamsey now": Ghanaians hit the streets to protest against illegal mining". Yen.com.gh. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
- ↑ "The footprints of galamsey in Ghana: The Western Region under the microscope". International Growth Centre. 30 September 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
- ↑ Mensah, Kent (17 September 2024). "Dying rivers, dying hopes: Human cost of illegal mining devastating Ghana's future". The Africa Report. Retrieved 24 September 2024. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ GhanaWeb. "Burning of Flags, Presidential Candidate Hawking and More: Watch highlights of Day 1 of #OccupyJulorbiHouse demo". GhanaWeb. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ emmakd (23 September 2024). "Ghana police arrest peaceful demonstrators calling for end of galamsey". Ghana Business News. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ↑ "Day two of 'Say No to Galamsey demo ends with dozens arrested - MyJoyOnline". myjoyonline.com. 22 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ↑ "Scores of people arrested as scuffle ensues between Democracy Hub protesters and police – MyJoyOnline". myjoyonline.com. 22 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ↑ Eghan, Sammy Danso (22 September 2024). "Ghana Police arrest 62-year-old and 10-year-old protesters in anti-galamsey demo". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ↑ "Streets left empty on Day 3 of Democracy Hub protest, 2 arrested - MyJoyOnline". myjoyonline.com. 23 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ↑ "Police told us to roam Accra to search for detained protesters - Democracy Hub". 24 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ↑ "39 Democracy Hub protestors remanded, cases adjourned to October 8th and 11th - MyJoyOnline". myjoyonline.com. 24 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
This article "Stop Galamsey Now Protest" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Stop Galamsey Now Protest. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
