In a moment that left many in tears, a young protester took the mic at an anti-galamsey vigil in Accra on Sunday evening and made an emotional, impassioned plea: “Stop galamsey now—I don’t want to die.”

The boy, who introduced himself as “DD,” short for “Desperate Desmond,” stood before a crowd at Revolution Square during a vigil organised by the #FixTheCountry movement, ahead of a nationwide protest against illegal mining scheduled for Monday.

His voice shook as he addressed the audience, but his message was loud and clear.

“The reason why I am desperate is because of galamsey. I want galamsey to stop. So please, help us.”

He then shared his fears about the devastating impact illegal mining is having on Ghana’s rivers, wildlife, and human life.

“If we drink the galamsey water, we will die—and I am afraid to die. I don’t want to die. I am too young to die,” he pleaded.
“The president should help us. I want to live long.”

DD’s remarks highlighted the growing sense of fear and urgency among Ghana’s youth over the ongoing destruction caused by illegal gold mining, which has poisoned water bodies, destroyed farmlands, and put entire ecosystems at risk.

He also spoke passionately about the toll on the environment and the country’s rich biodiversity.

“We have a lot of animals, nice fishes, and living things. But if galamsey water spoils them, we won’t see them again. We won’t even see fish to eat. We can’t swim in the rivers anymore.”

As he ended his speech, the crowd responded with chants of solidarity.

“Stop galamsey now! Save and protect the children!”

The vigil, organised by civil society leader Oliver Barker-Vormawor, is part of a renewed campaign demanding immediate government action to end illegal mining. But DD’s heartfelt appeal may have delivered the night’s most powerful message—one that cuts through politics and policy to remind everyone what’s truly at stake: the future of a generation.