Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Ghana’s capital to demand an end to illegal mining, known locally as ‘Galamsey.’ Protesters expressed their determination to pressure the government to address the environmental damage caused by these activities.
One attendee stated, “My motivation is to see illegal mining stop in Ghana. We need to keep protesting and striking to catch their attention.”
The protest, held from Thursday to Saturday, saw no police interference, unlike a previous demonstration by the group Democracy Hub.
The Catholic Church plans a peaceful protest against illegal mining on Friday, while labor unions are set to announce a nationwide strike on Thursday. One participant criticized the government’s indifference, saying, “This attitude is not surprising; it threatens the lives of Ghanaians.”
Protesters also called for the release of those arrested during a prior demonstration against illegal mining.