# Stop Galamsey Now Protest

Stop Galamsey Now is a protest led by the Democracy Hub to put pressure on the Government of Ghana to enforce measures to stop illegal mining practices in Ghana. It was a 3-day protest organised from 21 September 2024 and lasted until 23 September 2024. Protesters demanded a direct and decisive intervention from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in the form of a presidential order that stops all illegal mining activities, particularly in forest reserves and along key rivers.

## Background

Galamsey is a term used to describe illegal small mining activities near water bodies in Ghana. The illegal nature of the mining activities have negative impacts on the environment. Most notably, major rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim have all been polluted from the use of harmful chemicals like mercury and cyanide.
The activities of illegal mining have affected the environment. As at September 2024, 60% of Ghana's water bodies had been polluted from the activities of galamsey. It has led to forest degradation and the subsequent deletion of the forest reserves. The encroachment of the forest reserves was encouraged by the approval of Legislative Instrument, L.I 2462.

## Protest
### Day One – 21 September 2024

The protest began on the streets in front of the 37 Military Hospital. This led to the creation of police barriers to prevent protesters from getting access to the Jubilee House, which is the seat of the Government of Ghana. As a result, protesters burned down flags of the ruling New Patriotic Party.

### Day Two – 22 September 2024

After the inconveniences caused by the blocking of the road, the Ghana Police service made requests to the protesters regarding a relocation. When they refused to comply, several protesters were arrested. There were 11 arrests including a 62 year old woman and a 10 year old girl.

### Day Three – 23 September 2024

After the mass arrest of day two, protesters did not show up for the third and final day. Only two protesters showed up with placards and they were later arrested.

## Arrests and aftermath

In total, there were 53 arrests who were held in different prisons across Ghana. According to a member of the Democracy Hub's legal team, the arrested protesters were denied access to legal representation and 39 of them were remanded into custody by a court in Accra.

## Names of Arrested Protesters

* Oliver Barker-Vormawor
* Ama Governor
* Samuel Glenn Semakor
* Cederic Bansah
* Michael Amofa
* Emmanuel Offei
* Iddrisu Yussif
* Fanny Otoo
* Thomas Yeboah
* Razak Sulema
* Comrade Abubakar Sadeeq
* Norgbedzi Kelvin
* Mohammed King Hassan
* Tanko Nabong
* Phillip Owusu Cobbina
* Akisibik Desmond
* Sadik Yakubu
* Kinglsey Asiedu
* Seth Coffie
* Vera Gloria Louis
* Nii Quaye Hammond
* Manuel Barsar Biney
* Agbevi Mathias
* Ernest Acheampong

## #FreeTheCitizen Demonstration

Following the arrest and imprisonment of 52 protestors, #FreeTheCitizens movement organised another 3-day protest from 3rd October 2024 to 5th October 2024 to demand the release of arrested and detained protesters and an action from authorities to put an immediate end to illegal mining activities.
Day one of the protest will begin at Okponglo in Accra, through various routes along the Liberation Road and will include stops at the National Service Secretariat, the Electoral Commission of Ghana, the Parliament of Ghana where a petition will be submitted and end at the Independence Square in Accra.