The government has been urged to free people who were recently detained in Accra for demonstrating against galamsey, or illicit mining, by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour criticized the decision to remand the protestors for two weeks, calling it “too extreme” and a bad omen for human rights protections, even as he praised the Ghana Police Service for their professionalism throughout the demonstrations.
Speaking on Saturday night at the Accra International Conference Centre, he was part of the 28th GJA Media Awards celebration, which was also attended by President Akufo-Addo and several other dignitaries.
Dwumfour said, “We think the protesters’ remand is excessive,” and the GJA agreed with calls for the protestors’ immediate release.
Over the course of three days, demonstrations organized by Democracy Hub brought attention to the disastrous effects of galamsey on the environment, especially water bodies. For alleged violations of public order, some forty protestors were taken into custody and placed under two weeks of remand.
The GJA President emphasized that while law enforcement is required to keep the peace, people’s rights to protest and voice their concerns should also be upheld.
Right present, Ban Galamsey
A complete and immediate ban on illicit mining is also being called for, as Albert Dwumfour noted, because of the detrimental consequences it is having on Ghana’s ecology.
He called on the government to act forcefully against galamsey, imposing mining laws and declaring a state of emergency over the impacted water bodies.
“It saddens me to see once-clean water bodies turn dark brown because of galamsey,” Dwumfour stated.
In addition, he reaffirmed the necessity of promptly stopping mining operations within 50 meters of rivers and streams and pushed for the abolition of Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462, which currently regulates small-scale mining in the nation.
Dwumfour also urged political figures to pledge resolutely to end galamsey in their 2024 campaigns, especially the two front-runners for the presidency.
“We are aware that Mr. President vowed firmly to end galamsey some time ago, but sadly, he hasn’t kept his word. We hope that you would address the matter before you go from office, Mr. President. You have just three months left in your current administration.
“Naa chairman, we continue to insist that a state of emergency be imposed over our water bodies, that all current and planned mining concessions that overlap river buffers be revoked, and that all mining operations within a 50-meter buffer around all rivers and streams be immediately suspended. We further stress that LI 2462 need to be quickly repealed.
Illegal mining, photojournalism, Best Radio Programme (English), Best Feature (Online), Science & Technology, Best Documentary (Tv), Best TV Programme (English), Best Sports Reporter, and Best Student Journalist were among the nine awards that the Multimedia Group won at the ceremony. Edward Adeti of Media Without Borders was named GJA Journalist of the Year 2023.