Ayobamiji Komolafe 
Ghanaian citizens on Tuesday announced their plans to embark on a three-day protest this week as they called for government intervention to curb illegal gold mining, locally known as “Galamsey.”
Also, the people demanded for the release of 54 activists arrested during a recent demonstration.
The protest which is scheduled to begin on Thursday will be concluded with a vigil on Saturday, October 5.
The protesters aim to draw attention to the destructive impact of illegal mining on natural resources and rural livelihoods, as well as to secure the release of the detained activists.
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It was revealed that 54 members of the Democracy Hub pressure group were arrested on September 22 and 23 after blocking roads and burning tyres in a protest against the government’s failure to tackle illegal mining.
They have since been held in custody for two weeks, sparking public outrage and political criticism.
However, the protests, organized under the banner #FreeTheCitizens, have received authorization from Ghanaian police.
Joshua Buernortey Boye-Doe, one of the organisers, stated that the protests are aimed at saving the country’s water bodies and securing the activists’ freedom.
He emphasized that the movement is not politically motivated, stating, “Water is a very essential resource, so we need to protect it.”
Illegal mining in Ghana has caused widespread environmental damage, contaminating rivers, destroying forests, and damaging farmlands.
The use of harmful chemicals in mining has also posed severe health risks to communities.
Economic hardship, exacerbated by Ghana’s ongoing financial crisis, has driven many cocoa farmers to sell their lands to illegal miners, furthering the destruction of agricultural land.
The protests come at a critical time, as the country heads towards a presidential election in December.
John Mahama, the leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress and a candidate in the election, condemned the arrest of the activists, describing it as “high-handed” and “an abuse of their rights.”
Mahama vowed that judicial intimidation would not silence citizens’ calls for justice, writing on Facebook, “Draconian judicial decisions such as this won’t stop them from speaking out.”
As Ghana grapples with economic instability, rampant inflation, and the environmental toll of illegal mining, the protests signal rising public frustration and a demand for urgent government action.
