Ghanaian gospel artist Isaiah Kwadwo Ampong, popularly known as ‘Great Ampong’, has accused the anti-galamsey protesters of being swayed by outside influences to destabilise the current administration.
The Coalition of Concerned Citizens Against Galamsey organised the protest to draw attention to the environmental harm caused by illegal mining and to demand the release of about 53 Democracy Hub activists detained following a previous demonstration on September 22.
In response to these events, Ampong expressed scepticism about the protest’s timing in a video, noting that it occurred just two months before the December 7, 2024, elections.
But reacting to these developments, Ampong, in a video, has questioned the timing of the demonstration, which had taken place just two months before the upcoming December 7, 2024, elections.
“Why did they wait until two months before the elections to demonstrate? Why now? It suggests they have been paid,” he said.
He further stated, “If I were the IGP, I wouldn’t have granted them any permit for that demonstration.”
He also criticised the decision to hold the protest in Accra instead of in areas directly affected by galamsey activities.
Labelling the demonstration as “nonsense,” he argued that it was an attempt to discredit the government.
“If they were truly concerned, they should have gone to the galamsey sites. You want to demonstrate against galamsey, but you’re doing it at 37? It’s a pointless demonstration,” he added.
As a staunch supporter of the New Patriotic Party, Great Ampong also commented on the labour bodies’ plans to strike, suggesting they should focus their efforts elsewhere.
He criticised the current state of democracy in the country and claimed the galamsey issue is being exaggerated.
“People are turning democracy into gyimicracy. Someone prompted them to go on this demonstration to make the government unpopular,” he stated.
Ama Governor and eight other protesters from the Democracy Hub have been granted bail, each set at GH₵70,000 and requiring two sureties.
As part of their bail conditions, they must report to the police weekly and submit their Ghana cards to the court registry.
Their release comes in the wake of protests in Ghana, the UK, and various other locations worldwide.
Additionally, an appeal regarding a similar bail denial for Oliver Barker Vormawor, Felicity Nelson, and ten others is currently under consideration.