Ralph Williams, anti-galamsey protestor interacting with police in the street of Accra.

Anti-galamsey demo by Democracy Hub rocks Accra

As the Anti-Galamsey protest commences, major roads leading to Accra Central have been blocked, causing disruptions for motorists traveling from the Airport area. The three-day protest organized by Democracy Hub aims to draw attention to the harmful effects of illegal mining activities, known as galamsey, on the environment.

Roadblocks have been set up on key routes, including those passing through 37 Military Hospital, Burma Camp, and Ako-Adjei Interchange towards Kawukudi, preventing non-emergency vehicles from passing through.

Protest leaders are calling for nationwide support to hold the government accountable and urge for stronger measures against illegal mining. Demonstrators are expressing frustration over the pollution of water bodies in rural areas and the impact on communities that rely on these natural resources.

The protest is expected to continue for the next two days, with more groups expected to join as the movement gains momentum. Motorists are advised to avoid the affected routes and plan alternative paths to their destinations. Security forces are on high alert to ensure a peaceful protest, though tensions remain high as demonstrators are determined to continue until their demands are met.

Naa Densua, an aged anti-galamsey protestor in Accra.

An elderly protester, visibly displeased with the problem of illegal mining, joined the #SayNoToGalamsey demonstration to voice her concerns. Naa Densua felt it was necessary to participate in the fight because she feared that the next generation would have nothing left due to the environmental damage caused by ‘galamsey’.

She exhibited a bottle of contaminated water from the Pra River to the African Editors News team, shouting, “Who will drink this? Who will drink?”

When questioned about her age and involvement in the protest, she clarified that the battle was not for her own benefit but for the sake of her grandchildren’s future.

Expressing her frustration with illegal mining, she emphasized the urgency of the situation and declared, “My grandchildren will be drinking this in two years if we don’t stop galamsey. It must come to an end. I want clean water today, not tomorrow.”

She insisted that the problem had persisted for too long and asserted that now was the time to demand accountability from those in power.

In response to claims that the government was actively addressing the issue, she questioned loudly, “What are they doing? We are here, where is the government? The government needs to come and show us their actions. If there is no action, we will not leave. We will remain here for three days.”