Tensions Flare at Anti-Galamsey Vigil as Protesters Reject Government Overture
Accra ,Ghana – September 21,2025 - In a dramatic turn of events, a planned anti-galamsey vigil organized by the #FixTheCountry movement at Revolution Square in Accra turned tense on Sunday, September 21, 2025, when protesters hooted at and drove away Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency, Mustapha Gbande. The vigil, which aimed to highlight the devastating impact of illegal mining on Ghana's environment and water bodies, saw Gbande's attempt to address the crowd met with fierce resistance.
Gbande, who also serves as Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), had arrived at the vigil to engage with protesters and reassure them that the government was working to address the galamsey crisis. However, his presence was met with loud hooting and shouting, with protesters insisting that political figures were not welcome at the event.
The demonstrators criticized the government's approach to fighting galamsey, accusing authorities of targeting small-scale operators while powerful figures continue to go free. One protester passionately stated, "Anyone mentioned in that galamsey report by Prof Frimpong-Boateng, in any serious jurisdiction, all those criminals, those thugs are supposed to be cooling off in Nsawam Prison. Stop going after those little boys in the pit. Go after the real kingpins."
The government, through Gbande, had attempted to intervene, citing security concerns and the President's absence at the UN General Assembly. Gbande offered government talks with movement leaders and the Lands and Natural Resources Minister as an alternative to continued street action. However, the protesters flatly rejected the plea, insisting that their peaceful protest did not pose any security threat.
The #FixTheCountry movement, led by Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has vowed to continue pressing for action against galamsey, with a planned march scheduled for Monday, September 22. The event aims to draw greater attention to the worsening environmental crisis caused by galamsey and pressure the government to take decisive action against those fueling the illegal mining trade.
Source – Lead News Online/Leticia Okpoti
