Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Accra, Ghana’s capital, on Friday, protesting against illegal gold mining practices and urging the government to take decisive action.
The rally highlighted concerns over “galamsey,” the term for unlicensed small-scale gold mining, which has surged this year due to a nearly 30% increase in global gold prices.
Data from Ghana’s mining regulatory authority reveals that small-scale mines produced 1.2 million ounces of gold in the first seven months of 2024, surpassing the total output for all of 2023.
However, this rise in illegal mining has led to significant environmental and health risks, including water pollution, deforestation, and threats to cocoa farms, along with an increase in criminal activities.
The protest, described as an “environmental prayer walk,” included participants submitting a petition to the president’s office, demanding a ban on informal mining.
This event follows labor unions’ earlier plans for a nationwide strike against galamsey, which were partially suspended after the government proposed potential solutions, according to reports from local media.
With general elections scheduled for December 7, the government faces mounting pressure to address the concerns of voters.
Outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo has been dealing with the country’s most severe economic crisis in decades, which has affected many livelihoods amid a significant debt restructuring process.
Currently, small-scale mining accounts for about 40% of Ghana’s total gold production, contrasting with the operations of multinational companies.
Alarmingly, it is estimated that 70% to 80% of these small mines operate without licenses, intensifying the urgency for regulatory action and sustainable mining practices.
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