In September 2024 a series of protests took place in Ghana, Stop Galamsey Now Protest.
Galamsey is illegal small-scale gold mining in Ghana.[1] The term is derived from the phrase “gather them and sell”
These mining activities have had a deleterious impact on the environment. In particular, major rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra and Birim have all been polluted by the use of harmful chemicals such as mercury and cyanide.
By September 2024, 60% of Ghana’s water bodies had been polluted by Galamsey’s activities.
As a result of this civil action, 53 people were arrested and detained in various prisons in Ghana, before 39 of them were remanded in custody by a court in Accra.
Here are their names:
- Oliver Barker-Vormawor
- Ama Governor
- Samuel Glenn Semakor
- Cederic Bansah
- Michael Amofa
- Emmanuel Offei
- Iddrisu Yussif
- Fanny Otoo
- Thomas Yeboah
- Razak Sulema
- Comrade Abubakar Sadeeq
- Norgbedzi Kelvin
- Mohammed King Hassan
- Tanko Nabong
- Phillip Owusu Cobbina
- Akisibik Desmond
- Sadik Yakubu
- Kinglsey Asiedu
- Seth Coffie
- Vera Gloria Louis
- Nii Quaye Hammond
- Manuel Barsar Biney
- Agbevi Mathias
- Ernest Acheampong
FreeTheCitizens movement organised another 3-day protest from 3rd October 2024 to 5th October 2024. Activists have taken to social media to mobilize support, anticipating thousands to join the protest and voice their concerns over both the arrests and the ongoing fight against illegal mining.