The #FixTheCountry Movement is organizing a significant street protest on May 1, 2025, to demand immediate government action on the rampant illegal and irresponsible mining activities that are devastating Ghana’s forests and communities.
Oliver Barker-Vormawor, lead convener of the movement, announced the protest, titled “May Day, May Day,” during an interview on Joy FM’s Ghana Connect. He described the protest as a symbolic cry for help in response to the country’s worsening environmental crisis.
“For months, we have seen the government act swiftly on other matters. But on this, there’s no clear roadmap. People say we should give them more time, but we believe time has already been wasted. We are stepping out to demand urgent and serious action,” Barker-Vormawor stated.
He argued that the focus should shift from the legality of mining operations to the issue of responsibility, emphasizing how both legal and illegal mining practices are causing significant environmental harm.
“Some big mining companies, though considered legal, are also destroying forests, and the state has allowed it by giving them huge concessions. Meanwhile, local communities remain impoverished, which in turn fuels illegal mining. That too is galamsey,” he stressed.
Barker-Vormawor also revealed that his law firm, in collaboration with seven environmental organizations, has been involved in legal action to halt mining in protected forest reserves. However, the case has stalled, with the government accused of misleading the court about the repeal of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which permits mining in forest reserves.
In response, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah, stated that the government had arrested 76 illegal miners and seized 100 excavators since President Mahama returned to office in January.
Additionally, Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka-Mubarak has directed the Inspector General of Police to transfer all police commanders stationed in mining areas, part of a broader crackdown on galamsey activities.
Despite these efforts, the #FixTheCountry Movement maintains that more urgent and comprehensive measures are needed to address the environmental damage caused by illegal and irresponsible mining practices.
The #FixTheCountry Movement is planning a major street protest on May 1, 2025, to demand urgent action from government on and irresponsible mining activities destroying Ghana’s forests and communities.
Lead convener, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, made this known on Joy FM’s Ghana Connect, describing the upcoming protest dubbed “May Day, May Day”—as a symbolic cry for help over the country’s worsening environmental crisis.
“For months, we have seen the government act swiftly on other matters. But on this, there’s no clear roadmap. People say we should give them more time, but we believe time has already been wasted. We are stepping out to demand urgent and serious action,” he stated.
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