“FRIENDS FROM THE MEDIA”: Assessing Democracy Hub’s anti-galamsey protest

BY EDITORIAL TEAM

As we approach the 2024 elections, it is expected that tensions will rise and people will become anxious for their preferred parties to assume power.

However, when a passionate three-day protest, such as the one organised by Democracy Hub, is centred around halting galamsey (illegal mining) just two months before the elections, it calls for deeper introspection and interrogation.

According to Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, the former head of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Mining, both ruling government officials and members of the opposition, particularly the NDC, are implicated in promoting galamsey activities. Given this context, one could argue that the protest, aimed at drawing public disaffection towards the NPP, shouldn’t be a significant concern—since it implicates all major political actors.

We are all aware of the devastating effects of galamsey, and calls for immediate government action have intensified since the beginning of this month. From The Sikaman Times’ perspective, this growing outcry is highly commendable. The campaign against illegal mining must continue relentlessly until we see meaningful improvements in our water bodies, many of which have been destroyed by galamsey.

Indeed, this campaign must transcend the December 7 elections. Regardless of who wins, the calls to end galamsey should persist until the issue is resolved.

Recently, independent presidential candidate Nana Kwame Bediako, also known as Cheddar, suggested that the protest by Democracy Hub, like many protests before it, is politically motivated by either of the two leading parties. Situating the anti-galamsey protest led by Oliver Barker Vormawor’s Democracy Hub within this context, The Sikaman Times asserts that, despite any political “interests” at play, the conduct of the protesters is central to garnering genuine public support. All well-intentioned Ghanaians have consistently condemned illegal mining, especially around water bodies and forest reserves.

In fact, there will always be participants in any protest who are genuinely motivated by the desire to see their concerns addressed, without any interest in making the government unpopular. These individuals lend authenticity to the movement.

Before the demonstration, there was a disagreement between the police and the organisers over the routes to be used, with the police citing security concerns. Eventually, a consensus was reached on the proposed route. However, we must question the demonstrators’ intentions when, in the middle of the protest, they unlawfully blocked major routes, prompting police intervention and arrests.

If the primary goal is to compel the government to address their concerns, why would the demonstrators engage in actions that could compromise the peace and stability of the nation?

As a country, we have matured. The police have lately been subject to significant public scrutiny, given incidents in both the present and past governments of alleged unprofessional conduct. In light of this, the police have a vested interest in upholding the highest professional standards during protests. It is crucial that the exercise of our rights as citizens remains within the bounds of the law and does not infringe on the rights of others.

Given that the majority of Ghanaians have embraced democracy and constitutional rule, any desire for a change in government must be pursued through the ballot box. While demonstrations and protests are constitutionally guaranteed rights, they cannot be used to remove a legitimately elected administration from office. In other words, people cannot demonstrate a legitimately elected administration out of office.

The Sikaman Times urges the police to facilitate the release of the demonstrators arrested during the protests, with an arrangement for them to sign a bond of good behaviour.

We also strongly disagree with suggestions and agitations by some to replicate Kenya’s recent youth uprising here in Ghana. Every country has its own dynamics when it comes to protests, shaped by its laws, government response, and societal norms. Demonstrations should always serve a clear and legitimate purpose, and any deviation from that purpose should not be encouraged.

In the meantime, contrary to some traditional authorities who have argued that the government should not place a total ban on small-scale mining because of its contribution to local economies, The Sikaman Times reiterates its stance: all small-scale mining licenses should be revoked, and new licenses issued only after ensuring strict compliance with mining regulations. Additionally, real-time monitoring mechanisms should be deployed to oversee the operations of these mining companies.

The fight against galamsey is one that cannot be compromised, and it must be pursued with all the seriousness it deserves.