The Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG) has announced its decision to join the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the Catholic Church in a protest against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, scheduled for October 11, 2024.
GRASAG’s move, according to the National Executive Committee, stems from the devastating impact of galamsey on the country’s environment and socio-economic stability.
“As a body of over 100,000 intellectuals and future leaders, GRASAG believes that the ongoing galamsey operations threaten the future of Ghana’s environment, economy, and its citizens at large,” the association emphasized in a statement.
The association expressed particular concern for students, many of whom depend on water from university taps that are increasingly polluted due to illegal mining.
“We cannot stand idly while our water bodies are poisoned, farmlands destroyed, and communities left vulnerable,” GRASAG’s statement continued, highlighting the urgency for stronger actions from the government, civil society, and all stakeholders to protect Ghana’s natural resources from further destruction.
GRASAG reiterated its dedication to advocating for responsible and accountable governance and called on all Ghanaians to join the peaceful protest to amplify the need for immediate and effective measures to combat galamsey.
The association urged citizens to stand in solidarity, warning that failure to act decisively now could spell long-term disaster for the country’s environment and future generations.
Read the full statement below.
