ACCRA – A new wave of protests, organised under the banner of #StopGalamseyNow, has swept through the capital as citizens demand decisive action against the devastating effects of illegal mining (galamsey).
The protests, spearheaded by the Democracy Hub, aim to pressure the government to end the widespread environmental damage and socio-economic crisis caused by the illicit activity.
It is the second day of the protests after a vigil was held the previous night at the Revolution Square in Accra.
The protest march started at the Accra Mall and expected to end at the Jubilee House with the presentation of a petition to President John Mahama.
JoyNew’s Kwaku Asante reported that the protestors purposefully moved very slowly along the principal streets to the seat of government.
The demonstration was announced by the Convenor of the #FixTheCountry movement, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, who explained that the march was intended to draw attention to the destruction of Ghana’s environment and water bodies caused by galamsey.
The protests are a direct response to the escalating crisis of illegal mining, which has had a catastrophic impact on Ghana’s environment and economy.
According to the Water Resources Commission, approximately 60% of Ghana’s water bodies are now polluted.
Major rivers like the Pra, Ankobra, Birim, and Offin, which millions of Ghanaians depend on for drinking water and irrigation, are heavily contaminated with deadly chemicals such as mercury, cyanide, and arsenic.
Source: myjoyonline.com
