Democracy Hub Protester Urges President Mahama to Declare War on Galamsey
- A protester at the #StopGalamseyNow march has appealed emotionally to President John Mahama to take bold action against illegal mining
- He urged the government to declare a national war on galamsey, citing mercury contamination and birth defects in mining communities
- The #StopGalamseyNow protest entered its second day with demonstrators marching to the seat of power, Jubilee House, to submit a petition
A concerned Ghanaian at the Democracy Hub's ongoing #StopGalamseyNow protest has sent a passionate appeal to President John Dramani Mahama.
Speaking to the media during the march against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, the young protester called for a bold stance against the menace.
Source: UGC
In a video circulating on social media, the unidentified concerned Ghanaian was captured expressing his frustration against the devastation the activities of illegal mining are causing the country.
He consequently called on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration to declare a war against illegal mining operations across the country’s water bodies and forest reserves.
"We asked the then NPP government to declare a state of emergency against galamsey. Unfortunately, they couldn't do it. Now, the NDC is in power. We are begging them that it's about time the government declared a state of emergency, a national war against galamsey. I'm saying this because somebody living in Sunyani has dug a well, and when they tested the water, there's mercury in the well water. Why?" he said.
"Go to the mining communities. People are giving birth, and they are requesting that their babies be killed because the form the babies came with is not what they can take home. Why are we letting this go on? Ghanaians are weak; we are weak. I'm saying this because I'm a citizen. I love my country," he added.
Source: Twitter
#StopGalamseyNow protest enters day two
The #StopGalamseyNow protest began on Sunday, September 21, 2025, with a vigil opposite the Jubilee House at 3 p.m.
Concerned Ghanaians, comprised of the young and old, converged to put pressure on the President Mahama-led administration to curb the illegal mining menace.
The protest is currently in its final phase, with a march from the Accra Mall to the Jubilee House, Ghana's seat of government, where the demonstrators are expected to submit a petition to the president.
Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor, convenor of the Democracy Hub's #StopGalamseyNow protest, has demanded that the ruling NDC end galamsey before proceeding to elect a new flagbearer for the 2028 elections.
"Okay, here is our demand. NDC must end galamsey before electing a new flagbearer! Deal? We won't go into another election with galamsey on the ballot again. It ends here," he wrote on Facebook.
Watch the video below:
Ghanaians react to #StopGalamseyNow protest
Ghanaians on social media have reacted to the ongoing #StopGalamseyNow protest.
YEN.com,gh compiled a few of the reactions below:
@Balamey Prince said:
"You are right but is the state of emergency the only solution and if yes then what if it didn’t work. Let call for galamsey to stop but let leave the process in the hand of those in authority. Whatever they will do to stop let allow them to do it."
@Sani Kosey also said:
"I'm happy to them no police arrested anyone today... InshaAllah, mahama the president..Ghana is working again."
@Robert Ofori commented:
"I hope they will not be arrested, because some months ago they would have been in Nima police station."
Group demonstrates against anti-Nigerian sentiment in Ghana
Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh reported that protestors in Ghana had staged a protest to reject the rising anti-Nigerian sentiment.
The demonstration, led by Africans Rising, was held on Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day to promote African unity.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
