The atmosphere was charged with chants, determination, and a singular demand—the cessation of illegal mining, known locally as galamsey. On Saturday, October 5, the third and final day of a three-day protest resonated with the dual cry for environmental protection and the release of 53 activists arrested two weeks prior. The march commenced at Okponglo, near Legon, and wound its way through the streets of Accra, reflecting the unyielding resolve of the demonstrators.
Led by police escorts, the predominantly youthful crowd, dressed in the symbolic red and black of protest, amplified their message with patriotic songs. Their placards bore powerful statements like “We need clean water,” “Stop galamsey now,” and “Akufo-Addo, let my people go,” underscoring both the urgency and depth of their cause. After a strenuous 12-kilometer trek, the protest culminated near the Accra Sports Stadium, where the march evolved into a somber vigil for the detained demonstrators.
Despite a torrential downpour, the demonstrators stood resolute. A documentary by investigative journalist Erastus Asare Donkor was screened, highlighting the severe impact of galamsey on the environment and the health of ordinary Ghanaians, including infants. The evening transformed into a sensitization session, educating the crowd on the devastating effects of illegal mining.
Over the first two days of the protest, petitions were submitted to the Attorney General’s Department and the Ministry of Lands, appealing for governmental action. However, Saturday’s march and vigil became a profound moment of unity, with the protesters braving the rain, demanding an end to the environmental degradation of their land and justice for those arrested in the fight for a cleaner, safer Ghana.
The voices of Ghana’s youth remained unwavering, sending a clear message to the nation’s leaders: the destruction of their environment must stop, and those who have spoken out for justice must be freed.
Source: GhanaFeed.Com