Amid the ongoing United Nations General Assembly, a passionate group of Ghanaians gathered outside the UN Headquarters in New York to protest against illegal mining, known as “galamsey,” and its devastating impacts on the environment and communities back home.
The protesters, primarily from New York and joined by a few from other states, including Texas, carried placards and chanted slogans, condemning both the destructive effects of illegal mining and what they perceive as the government’s inaction, particularly by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
This protest on Wednesday coincided with the President of Ghana’s address at the UN, during which some demonstrators expressed outrage at his focus on climate change, questioning his credibility given the rampant illegal mining that is ravaging Ghana’s land, forests, and water bodies. “As a human rights lawyer, how dare you come to the UN today to speak about climate change and environmental pollution when you are an environmental terrorist yourself” one protester was heard stating on video.
Emmanuel Asare Kumah, a US Army veteran who traveled from Texas to participate in the protest, shared that the movement began as online discussions on social media and quickly transitioned to a physical gathering stating, “The decision took just few hours. It started on Twitter (X), and everyone showed up.” He added that there was an earlier group of Ghanaian protesters but explained that his group of protesters was solely focused on illegal mining.
The issue of galamsey has dominated national discourse in Ghana recently, with numerous calls for the government to declare a state of emergency and impose a temporary ban on small-scale mining. However, the government has rejected these proposals, despite pressure from over 50 advocacy groups.
The escalating destruction of forests, water sources, and farmland has raised serious concerns about health impacts, including reports of increasing birth deformities and rising kidney disease cases among people in affected communities. Ghana Water Company has already announced water supply shortages attributed to severe pollution from illegal mining activities.
The protesting Ghanaians hope their actions will attract international attention, urging the global community to exert pressure on President Akufo-Addo to take immediate and effective measures to combat this crisis.
