Hundreds of people marched through Accra, Ghana’s capital, on Friday, protesting against unlicensed gold mining.
The demonstration aimed to draw attention to the dangers and environmental damage caused by illegal mining activities.
Known locally as “galamsey,” illegal small-scale gold mining has surged this year.
This increase follows a nearly 30% rise in global gold prices, prompting more miners to engage in these practices.
According to data from Ghana’s mining sector regulator, small-scale mines produced 1.2 million ounces of gold in the first seven months of 2024.
The figure exceeds the total gold output from all of 2023, highlighting the rapid growth of the sector.
While the mining boom presents economic opportunities, it also raises serious health and environmental concerns.
Galamsey has been linked to polluted waterways, deforestation, and adverse effects on cocoa farms, further compounding local challenges.
The rising prevalence of illegal mining has sparked protests and calls for stricter regulations.
These issues have become significant electoral topics as Ghana prepares for its general election on December 7.
During the march, participants engaged in an “environmental prayer walk,” where they delivered a petition calling for a ban on informal mining.