Tensions flared in Accra on Sunday evening as protesters at an anti-illegal mining vigil forcibly removed a senior government official from the event, underscoring growing public frustration over environmental degradation linked to illegal gold mining operations, commonly referred to as “galamsey.”
Mustapha Gbande, Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency and a Deputy General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), was hooted at and driven away by demonstrators gathered at Revolution Square. The event, organized by the civic advocacy group #FixTheCountry, is part of a broader campaign against illegal mining activities ahead of a planned march scheduled for Monday, September 22.
Organizers say the vigil was designed as a non-partisan platform to draw attention to the environmental destruction caused by illicit mining, which has polluted rivers, devastated farmlands, and sparked health concerns in affected communities.
Mr. Gbande reportedly arrived at the vigil to engage protesters and convey assurances that the government was committed to tackling the crisis. But his presence was swiftly rejected by the crowd, who accused political leaders—both past and present—of failing to address the issue.
"If Ghanaians believed what the NDC government had promised, we wouldn’t be here," one protester said over a megaphone. "This is not a party event. We’ll send our petition tomorrow. For now, no political party is welcome."
Despite Mr. Gbande’s attempts to defuse the situation, demonstrators continued to chant and demand his departure, eventually forcing him to exit the venue under pressure.
The incident highlights the mounting distrust among citizens toward the country’s political establishment over the handling of illegal mining, which has become one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental challenges. Successive governments have pledged to combat galamsey, yet enforcement remains inconsistent and often politicized.
Organizers of the #FixTheCountry movement say they plan to present a petition to authorities on Monday and continue public pressure until concrete actions are taken.
