The Concerned Citizens Against Illegal Mining group concluded a three-day protest, dubbed ‘FreeTheCitizens’, with a vigil at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The demonstration, aimed at demanding an end to illegal mining (galamsey) and the release of 53 detained protesters, brought together determined citizens advocating for environmental justice and freedom.
Protest route and message
The protest began at the Legon Okponglo Traffic Light, with the demonstrators marching along major routes, including the Airport Traffic Light, the National Service Secretariat, Nima, Ridge, the Electoral Commission Office, and Parliament.
The march ended at the Accra Sports Stadium, where petitions were presented.
Participants displayed signs with powerful messages such as “We need clean water,” “Stop galamsey now,” and “Akufo-Addo, let my people go.”
The demonstrations echoed calls for the protection of the environment, particularly Ghana’s water bodies, while also demanding the release of the 53 protesters arrested two weeks earlier.
Demands for policy reforms and enforcement
The protesters called for immediate action to halt illegal mining, urging the government to review existing policies and enforce laws protecting natural resources.
They stressed the need for collective responsibility in safeguarding the nation’s water bodies and forest reserves.
For the three days, the police were present in their numbers offering security to ensure peaceful protest.
Petition to the Attorney-General
On the first day of the protest, the group submitted a petition to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
Mr. Isaac Wilberforce Mensah, spokesperson for the A-G’s office, received the petition from Mr. Adatsi Brownson, a convenor of the protest.
Demand for release of Democracy Hub protesters
The petition demanded the release of the Democracy Hub demonstrators in police custody and called for an investigation into the police’s handling of the protests.
The group also urged the Attorney-General to establish internal policies for training police officers on the rights and freedoms of individuals during protests, as well as the proper treatment of those arrested.
Mr. Mensah assured the group that the Attorney-General’s office would investigate the matter, emphasizing that they stood in solidarity with the demonstrators in the fight against illegal mining.
He noted that the office was actively prosecuting cases related to galamsey.
Petition to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
On the second day, the group submitted another petition to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
They issued a seven-day ultimatum for the Ministry to enforce a complete shutdown of all illegal mining activities nationwide, without exception.
In addition, the group called for the Ministry to initiate a nationwide restoration program within 15 days to rehabilitate major rivers such as the Pra, Birim, and Ankobra, which have been severely affected by galamsey activities.
Final day vigil and call for justice
The three-day protest culminated in a vigil at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Despite heavy rainfall, the passionate crowd remained, holding a sensitization session that featured the screening of a documentary by JoyNews’ Erastus Asare Donkor, which detailed the devastating impact of illegal mining on the environment and public health, including its effects on babies.
The vigil served as a powerful tribute to those arrested during the protests, with demonstrators demanding their immediate release. The group vowed to continue their fight against galamsey until tangible action is taken to protect Ghana’s natural resources and secure the freedom of their fellow citizens.
