Independent Presidential Candidate George Twum-Barimah-Adu has called on the Ghana Police Service and the Judiciary to ensure the swift and just release of demonstrators currently in police custody for protesting against illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
In a strongly-worded statement, Twum-Barimah-Adu condemned the destructive acts committed during the protest but underscored the legitimate concerns of the protestors, who he said were standing up for the protection of Ghana’s natural resources.
Twum-Barimah-Adu, an outspoken critic of the galamsey menace, emphasized that illegal mining is not merely a regional issue, but a national crisis that threatens the environment, public health, the country’s future natural resources, and its food security.
He called for a collective approach, stressing that it is the duty of every Ghanaian to act decisively in combating the illegal practice that has devastated rivers, farmlands, and ecosystems across the country.
“The demonstrators, though wrong in their acts of destruction, exercised their democratic right to protest, and they share a deep concern for the degradation of our water bodies. Illegal mining is a critical national concern that impacts all Ghanaians.
“It is essential that we, as citizens, law enforcement, and government, work together to find a comprehensive and lasting solution to this problem”.
George Twum-Barimah-Adu, Independent Presidential Candidate for Election 2024
A Call for Bail and Respect for Constitutional Rights
Moreover, George Twum-Barimah-Adu urged the Judiciary to expedite the release of those currently in custody, asserting that their right to bail must be respected.
He stressed that while law enforcement must maintain order, it is equally important that the constitutional rights of citizens are upheld, especially for those advocating for positive change in the face of a national crisis.
“I ask that all individuals currently on remand be granted bail, as it is their constitutional right. The fight against galamsey requires collective action, and these demonstrators are raising their voices on behalf of a cause that impacts all Ghanaians”.
George Twum-Barimah-Adu, Independent Presidential Candidate for Election 2024
His call for the release of protestors was accompanied by a broader appeal to Ghanaians to take a stand against illegal mining, which he described as a scourge plaguing the nation’s future.
He criticized both the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for their failure to effectively combat the issue, alleging that neither party has shown genuine commitment to tackling the galamsey crisis.
“Vote Them Out” – A Call for Political Change in 2024
George Twum-Barimah-Adu’s statement was not limited to the release of the protestors. He issued a rallying call for all Ghanaians to reject the governing New Patriotic Party and the opposition National Democratic Congress in the upcoming December 7, 2024, general elections, accusing both parties of perpetuating the galamsey problem through inaction.
“Let’s come together on December 7, 2024, and stage the largest demonstration yet by voting out these two parties who are responsible for galamsey in Ghana and have shown no interest in fighting it,” he urged.
The independent candidate’s remarks highlighted growing frustration among many Ghanaians, particularly those in communities hardest hit by illegal mining activities.
Galamsey has long been a contentious issue in Ghana, with successive governments struggling to contain the problem despite numerous promises and interventions.
However, the degradation of water bodies like the Pra, Birim, and Ankobra rivers continues unabated, leading to widespread public outcry.
George Twum-Barimah-Adu’s message was also a plea for national unity in the fight against galamsey.
He called on citizens, law enforcement agencies, and the government to join forces in protecting the nation’s natural resources, adding that it is a shared responsibility that should transcend political divisions.
“Protecting our water bodies from the devastating effects of illegal mining is a shared responsibility. We must unite in addressing this urgent crisis while respecting the rights of those who advocate for positive change”.
George Twum-Barimah-Adu, Independent Presidential Candidate for Election 2024
Twum-Barimah-Adu’s bold statement signals his determination to make the fight against galamsey a central theme of his presidential campaign.
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