On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, a group of Ghanaians residing in the United States gathered outside the United Nations Headquarters to demand the release of individuals arrested during a recent anti-illegal mining protest in Ghana.
Waving placards and chanting slogans, the demonstrators voiced their support for the detained activists and urged international organizations to step in.
The group accused President Akufo-Addo of stifling dissent through intimidation and the misuse of security forces.
Addressing the crowd, Emmanuel Kumah, a spokesperson for the group, expressed deep concern over the arrests and called for international bodies to pay attention to the situation.
“We stand with our brothers and sisters who have been unjustly detained for speaking out against the pollution of our water bodies and the destruction of our environment, President Akufo-Addo is using the police to silence those who raise their voices against these injustices.
“We demand that the United Nations and the international media hold him accountable.
“As we speak, around 50 of our colleagues are being held without proper legal representation or access to medical treatment. This is a gross violation of their rights,” he added.
In New York, protesters also stressed the urgent need to end illegal mining in Ghana, pointing to the environmental destruction it has caused. Holding banners with slogans like “Stop Illegal Mining” and “Save Ghana’s Water Bodies,” they called for decisive action to stop the illegal operations that have polluted rivers and destroyed farmlands.
This demonstration followed the arrest of over 40 members of Democracy Hub during a protest in Accra on September 21, 2024.
The Accra-based protesters were rallying against illegal mining, locally referred to as galamsey, and urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to intervene in protecting the nation’s water sources and forests from the harmful effects of these activities.
Although the Accra protest was intended to be peaceful, violence erupted when demonstrators clashed with the police.
The Ghana Police Service accused the protesters of obstructing roads, tearing down police barricades, and disrupting traffic at the 37 Roundabout.
These events led to the arrest of several protesters, including key activists from the #FixTheCountry movement, known for its criticisms of the government on issues such as corruption, economic mismanagement, and environmental destruction.
On September 24, 2024, 39 of the arrested individuals were remanded into police custody for two weeks, with 11 more being remanded the following day.
The activists, including those from the #OccupyJulorbiHouse movement, have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges. However, a key figure, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a leader in the #FixTheCountry campaign, was notably absent from the court proceedings as he was reportedly receiving medical treatment.
‘Mr. President, this is your legacy… today we stand here to call you out! We will not sit and watch you do this to our people!’
— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) September 25, 2024
A group of Ghanaians have gathered at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, demanding the release of remanded anti-galamsey protesters.… pic.twitter.com/OIMdrqeLXJ