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Protesters at Revolution Square in Accra say they are hopeful that their vigil will send a strong signal to Ghana’s leaders to take decisive action against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The #FixTheCountry Movement, led by convenor Oliver Barker-Vormawor, staged the Sunday night vigil ahead of a planned march on Monday, September 22. Organisers say their action is meant to put those in power on their toes and to highlight the devastating impact of galamsey on Ghana’s environment and water bodies.
Despite assurances from successive governments, protesters insist that little has been done to end the menace. “If galamsey is not tackled now, very soon there will be no water flowing through the taps,” one participant warned.
Tensions briefly rose when Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency and NDC Deputy General Secretary, Mustapha Gbande, attempted to address the crowd. Protesters rejected his presence, chanting for all political leaders to stay away. “We are not here to engage any political party,” one protester said. “This is about our survival as Ghanaians.”
Participants also demanded the arrest of powerful figures mentioned in Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng’s galamsey report, arguing that the government’s crackdown on small-scale operators is misplaced.
The vigil, which continues through the night, is expected to climax with a full protest march on Monday. Organisers stress that their campaign is not partisan but a citizen-led call for accountability, action, and the protection of Ghana’s natural resources.
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