Protests erupted on the streets of Accra on Thursday, as demonstrators called for the release of 53 activists arrested last week during an anti-galamsey demonstration. The protests are set to continue through Saturday.
Oliver Mawuse Barker Vormawor, the main organizer of the ‘StopGalamseyNow’ protest, along with 11 other protesters, was remanded in custody until October 8 by a local court. Reports indicate that Vormawor is experiencing health issues while in detention.
The protests aim to raise awareness about the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, known locally as galamsey. Activists are leveraging social media to amplify their message, using hashtags such as “FreeTheCitizens” and “SayNoToGalamsey” to garner support.
The three-day demonstrations also seek to pressure the government to take action against illegal mining activities, which have caused significant damage across Ghana. This includes contamination of water bodies, destruction of farmlands—particularly in cocoa-producing regions—and the loss of at least 34 forest reserves.
