Ghanaians Protest against illegal mining amid environmental concerns

Hundreds of Ghanaians, primarily university students, took to the streets of the capital city, Accra, on Thursday, demanding an immediate halt to illegal mining activities.

The demonstrators plan to stage rallies over three days and are also calling for the release of 54 activists detained last month for protesting against the illegal mining practices.

The government’s handling of illegal mining—especially its impact on natural resources and rural livelihoods—has become a contentious issue as Ghana approaches its presidential elections in December.

“If our leaders don’t take action now, future generations will pay the price,” said Delali Asante, a student at the University of Ghana, in a statement to AFP.

Chanting the national anthem and singing patriotic songs, the protesters, dressed in red and black attire, danced through the streets.

Many displayed bottles of polluted water sourced from the Pra and Birim rivers, two of the largest in the country, to underscore the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining. T

hese rivers are vital for many Ghanaians who rely on them for drinking water.

“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 expressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “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.”

In addition to the protests, labor unions have announced a nationwide strike starting October 10 to pressure authorities into taking urgent action.

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The demonstrators are also demanding the release of 54 members of the Democracy Hub pressure group, who were arrested on September 22 and 23 for blocking roads and burning tires.

Their detention has sparked public outrage and criticism from various political figures.

Ghana, home to 33 million people, is a major producer of gold and cocoa. However, since 2022, the country has faced an economic crisis and rampant inflation, leading it to default on its foreign debt.

These economic challenges have prompted an increasing number of cocoa farmers to sell their lands to illegal mining operations.

In addition to encroaching on agricultural land, illegal mining has polluted rivers and groundwater with harmful chemicals used in gold extraction.

“We will not stop until we see real change,” Tagoe vowed. “This is not just about us. This is about protecting Ghana’s future.”