In a bold move to rekindle national urgency on the fight against illegal mining, the #FixTheCountry Movement has announced plans to stage a mass protest on May 1, 2025, to demand concrete and immediate actions from the government to end the destructive practice of galamsey.
The protest, scheduled to coincide with May Day — International Workers’ Day — is being framed as a symbolic “Mayday” call for help, highlighting the dire environmental, social, and economic consequences of illegal mining across Ghana.
At the heart of the mobilization is Osagyefo Mawuse Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Convener of the FixTheCountry Movement, who says the protest is a necessary escalation of public pressure due to what he describes as the government’s insufficient response to the crisis.
Speaking in a passionate address, Barker-Vormawor noted that the protest is not aimed at laying blame solely at the doorstep of the new National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration.
For him, the move rather aims to remind the new administration that the menace of galamsey transcends political transitions and demands urgent and sustained attention.
“You know, indignation about things — I must say that at the end of the day, a protest is also a last resort mechanism. It’s where citizens don’t see how they can influence the policy process… We’re mobilizing back into the street as a reminder to the new government to end galamsey.”
Osagyefo Mawuse Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Activist and Convener of the FixtheCountry Movement,
Barker-Vormawor argued that while the government has demonstrated seriousness in tackling other national issues in a matter of weeks, there has yet to be a convincing roadmap on how it intends to dismantle the deeply entrenched illegal mining networks.
He emphasized that citizens cannot afford to remain passive while Ghana’s rivers are poisoned and forest reserves are destroyed.
“This is beyond politics. This is beyond our daily bread. Let’s show up and hold the government to the urgency of the problem we are facing. When you think about it, when there’s a problem and you’re calling for help, you shout ‘Mayday, Mayday’.”
Osagyefo Mawuse Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Activist and Convener of the FixtheCountry Movement,
Rallying Citizens’ Support against Galamsey
Barker-Vormawor further underscored the symbolism behind the date selection. The Movement hopes that the day will serve as a national wake-up call to rally broad citizen support behind efforts to eradicate illegal mining, not just rhetorically, but in policy and enforcement.
The renewed activist campaign comes on the heels of a strong public statement by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who reaffirmed the NDC government’s commitment to fighting illegal mining.
Speaking at a press conference on April 3, 2025, the Minister stated unequivocally that “no illegal miner will be given a safe haven,” and announced a five-pillar strategy to tackle the crisis.
As part of efforts to reclaim Ghana’s natural resources, Hon. Buah revealed that the government has successfully recovered seven out of nine forest reserves that were previously under the control of heavily armed illegal miners.
These recovered reserves include Jimira & Jimira Extension, Afao Hills, Tano Anwia, Ofin Shelterbelt, Anhwiaso East & Anhwiaso South, and Subri.
According to Hon. Buah, work is currently underway to reclaim the remaining two reserves, Asenayo and Desiri, which continue to experience illegal mining activities despite ongoing enforcement efforts.
The Lands Minister also pointed out that joint military-forestry operations have already led to the seizure of 100 excavators, 3 bulldozers, and 4 vehicles used for illegal mining.
According to Hon. Buah, the new strategy will move away from reliance on sporadic military interventions and instead adopt a multi-dimensional approach that addresses the root causes of galamsey, strengthens enforcement mechanisms, improves community engagement, and promotes sustainable alternatives for livelihoods.
He acknowledged that previous approaches have failed to deliver permanent solutions and that the government is determined to reset the national response.
While the Minister’s assurances have been welcomed in some circles, activists like Barker-Vormawor argue that policy declarations must be backed by demonstrable urgency and citizen participation.
For him, the May Day protest is not an act of opposition, but of civic responsibility.
“If it needs a mandate from the streets, we’re reminding [the government] that this is something we are demanding more pressing action on. We are marching in solidarity for the government to take more serious measures on this issue.”
Osagyefo Mawuse Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Activist and Convener of the FixtheCountry Movement
The protest is expected to draw a diverse coalition of participants — environmentalists, students, community activists, farmers, and everyday citizens — all united by a shared concern over the devastating impact of illegal mining.
Ghana’s major river bodies, including the Ankobra, Pra, and Offin, have become dangerously polluted, threatening the country’s access to potable water, disrupting farming activities, and destroying biodiversity.
The protest organizers say they are mobilizing nationwide and intend for this to be one of the most significant citizen-led actions in recent years.
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