Accra marches against Illegal Mining: '#FreeTheCitizens' protest begins today
Accra, Ghana - Hundreds of protesters gathered at Okponglo today to kick off a three-day demonstration against galamsey, or illegal mining, in Ghana.
Organized by the Coalition of Concerned Citizens Against Galamsey, the protest aims to raise awareness about the destructive impact of galamsey and demand stronger action from the government.
The protesters, marching under the slogans "#FreeTheCitizens" and "#SayNoToGalamsey," will make their way from Okponglo to the Parliament House, where they will submit a petition calling for the release of 53 individuals arrested during a previous demonstration on September 22.
Protest Route:
- Starting Point: Okponglo
- First Stop: Association International School
- Second Stop: Kawukudi Junction
- Final Destination: Parliament House
The demonstration is part of a broader effort to highlight the detrimental effects of galamsey and advocate for increased government action against the practice. Despite police presence to ensure security, some protesters have taken it upon themselves to maintain order during the march, donning "security" t-shirts to identify themselves.
Noble Amedowu, a lawyer representing the activists, outlined the three-day event in an interview with Citi News.
“The demonstration will start from Okponglo through Association International to Kawukudi Junction to Parliament House, where we will present a petition to Parliament and also present another petition to the Land’s Commission and the AG.
“There will be another demonstration on the second day. On the third day, there will be a night vigil, where the group will display the devastating effect of galamsey on the environment, especially on the Pra, Ankobra and Birim Rivers,'' he added.
The protest schedule includes:
- Day 1: March from Okponglo to Parliament House
- Day 2: Second demonstration
- Day 3: Night vigil to raise awareness about the environmental impact of galamsey
The protest is a testament to the growing concern among Ghanaians about the effects of galamsey on the environment and communities.
Source: Lead News Online
