The Concerned Citizens Against Galamsey have launched a protest in Accra, beginning today, Thursday, October 3, and running until October 5.
The demonstration seeks to raise awareness about the ongoing issue of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, which continues to cause extensive environmental damage across Ghana.
The protesters are calling for stricter enforcement of laws and more comprehensive measures to safeguard the country’s water bodies and forest reserves from further degradation.
In addition to environmental concerns, the protest also demands the release of members of the Democracy Hub group who were arrested during the September 21-23 protests and are currently in police and prison custody.
The Ghana Police Service has warned that the organizers of the demonstration will be held accountable if any laws are violated during the protest.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the police indicated that “During Police engagement with the organisers, the Police reminded the organizers of their responsibilities under the Public Order Act, which includes being held liable for any damage caused to any public property during the demonstration.
“Any person taking part in the demonstration shall obey the directions of the Police safeguarding the proper movement of other persons and vehicles and generally maintain order, and any person taking part in a special event shall conduct himself in such a manner as to avoid causing obstruction of traffic, confusion or disorder.”
“Additionally, the organisers were also reminded of Police responsibilities under the Public Order Act, which include taking all such steps reasonably necessary during the demonstration as follows; a. to assist in the proper conduct of any special event by directing the routes of such event to prevent obstruction of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
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