Police officers have blocked roads leading to the Jubilee House in an attempt to prevent demonstrators from the Democratic Hub, organizers of the “Stop Galamsey Now” protest, from advancing further.
The protesters, however, defied the orders and have gathered at the 37 Roundabout, expressing their determination to march to the Jubilee House to make their voices heard.
This protest is aimed at demanding action from the president to halt illegal mining activities, known as galamsey, which have been damaging Ghana’s forests and water bodies.
During a pre-briefing at the gathering, one of the organizers, Nii Ayi, addressed the crowd, urging protesters to avoid any confrontation with the police and to comply peacefully if arrests were attempted.
“Our main objective is to send a message to the president to stop the galamsey menace ravaging the forests and water bodies,” he explained.
He criticized political parties, particularly referencing a recent demonstration by the NDC, which he claimed focused on electoral concerns rather than pressing issues affecting the citizens, emphasizing that “Ghana Youth ‘Make your mind dey.’”
Nii Ayi further highlighted the devastating impact of illegal mining on Ghana’s water resources.
“A human being can only live three days without water, and after three days, every human being will die.
So, if our water bodies are being destroyed and we will get to a point where we have to import water and the Ghanaian citizen cannot afford water that is being produced right here, that is a license to death,” he warned.
He reiterated that the youth were not there to cause trouble but to make it clear that they would defend Ghana’s environment, even if it meant facing challenges.
