Written By Lisa Murimi
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Ghana’s capital, Accra, on Friday in a peaceful demonstration against unlicensed gold mining, locally known as “galamsey.”Â
The protesters called on authorities to take stronger action against the environmentally destructive practice, which has surged this year due to a 30% increase in global gold prices.
Galamsey, which involves illegal small-scale gold mining, has been linked to health hazards, pollution of waterways, destruction of forests and cocoa farms, and an increase in crime.
Despite these risks, Ghana’s small-scale mines produced 1.2 million ounces of gold in the first seven months of 2024—more than the entire output of 2023.
The protest, dubbed an “environmental prayer walk,” ended with a petition delivered to the president’s office, demanding a ban on informal mining.
This demonstration followed a partially canceled nationwide strike by labor unions, after the government made commitments to address the issue.
As Ghana heads toward general elections on December 7, galamsey has become a major political issue.
Outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo is under pressure to respond to the demands of voters while grappling with an economic crisis and a large debt overhaul.
About 40% of Ghana’s gold comes from small-scale mines, with an estimated 70-80% of them operating without licenses.
