To ensure that the nearly impossible fight against galamsey is won, protesters are going to great lengths to convey their messages to the authorities and all responsible stakeholders, in an attempt to get victory against the menace.
Friday, October 4, 2024, marks day 2 of the 3-day ongoing protests by the Coalition of Concerned Citizens against galamsey under the theme #FreeTheCitizens and #SayNoToGalamsey.
One notable event at the protest site was a brown plastic bucket filled with polluted water collected from all 16 rivers, contaminated by toxic chemicals, including mercury, cyanide, and lead.
The water, which contained black substances and appeared thick on the surface due to the concentration of toxic materials and sand, is not safe for consumption under normal circumstances.
However, a middle-aged man clad in traditional attire, captured among the protesters, defied all odds and disregarded the health risks by taking a sip of the water to demonstrate the devastating effects of pollution on citizens’ health.
The protester’s bold move has drawn attention.
The demonstration, which is set to run until October 5, aims to draw attention to ongoing galamsey activities which have and continue to cause devastating damage to the country’s environment and water bodies, and also for the release of their arrested colleague protesters.
The protest march which started from Legon Okponglo will proceed to the Black Star Square while following a route approved by the police.
Chosen protest paths include key locations such as the Legon Stadium, Okponglo Traffic Light, Shiashie, Shangri-La, and Airport Traffic Light.
Afterward, protesters will head to the National Service Secretariat, the Electoral Commission Head Office, Parliament House, and end at Independence Square.
Organised under the banners “FreeTheCitizens” and “SayNoToGalamsey,” the protest has gained strong momentum on social media, with thousands expected to participate.
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