Hundreds of Ghanaians, primarily university students, protested in the streets of Accra on Thursday, demanding an immediate halt to illegal mining activities. The demonstrators plan to hold rallies for three consecutive days and are also calling for the release of 54 activists who were detained last month for protesting against illegal mining.
The government’s management of illegal mining, especially its detrimental effects on natural resources and rural livelihoods, has emerged as a contentious issue ahead of the presidential elections in December.
Delali Asante, a student at the University of Ghana, expressed concern, stating, “If our leaders don’t take action now, future generations will pay the price.” The protesters, dressed in red and black, chanted the Ghanaian national anthem and sang patriotic songs as they marched through the capital.
Many demonstrators carried bottles of polluted water sourced from the Pra and Birim rivers, two of the largest rivers in the country, to underscore the severe environmental impact of illegal mining. These rivers are a vital water source for many Ghanaians.
“Our water bodies are being destroyed, and soon we’ll have nothing left,” Asante added. “We can’t drink gold, and we can’t grow crops on poisoned land.”
Protest leader Henry Tagoe emphasized the urgency of the issue, saying, “We cannot sit by and watch as our rivers and water bodies are poisoned with mercury. Illegal mining is destroying our environment and our future.”
Additionally, labour unions have announced plans to initiate a nationwide strike on October 10 to compel authorities to take immediate action against illegal mining.