The wave of protest against indiscriminate gold mining (called “galamsey”) in Ghana, and demand for the release of protesters arrested by the Ghanaian state gathered support from socialist and Pan-Africanist groups and activists in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and the United States of America. Twenty-three organisations from these countries, including the Socialist Workers League, issued a statement on Friday 4 October to that effect.
In the statement, they pointed out that “the recent protests are resounding testament to the mounting frustration and discontent among citizens” and asserted that “we will not remain silent”. The groups denounced “the Ghanaian government’s gross mismanagement of the nation’s natural resources and the Ghana Police Service’s blatant disregard for the rule of law and human rights” with the arrest and detention of 53 protesters.
Beyond mismanagement, mining in the capitalist economy even where it is legal and organised by corporations, primarily serves the for-profit interests of the rich few at the expense of the working people and the environment. The resistance in Ghana which started with a 3-day demonstration by youths from 3 October is expected to get more intense with the entry of the trade union movement into the struggle by next week. The need for a mining vision and policy which puts the interests of working masses and the future generation first cannot be overemphasized. This is an argument which activists must put forward to the trade unions and protesting youths.
Pan-African and international support for this struggle is of crucial importance. This statement is the first in such a direction. And its five demands must resonate for all justice-seeking people:
- We demand the immediate release of unlawfully detained citizens and the full restoration of their rights.
- We demand an independent and public investigation into police misconduct and the Judiciary’s complicity.
- We urge all civil society organizations, human rights groups, student organizations, labor unions, and justice-seeking individuals to unite against the oppressive forces that perpetuate human rights abuses and galamsey (illegal mining) in Ghana.
- We call for a full review of all mining agreements including so-called ‘legal’ ones with multinationals such as Newmont and Ashanti-Gold.
- We demand that all collected information on damage and projections of damage caused by mining in Ghana be made available to the public.
The full statement can be found below:
AFRICA FOR GHANA
STATEMENT OF PAN AFRICAN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF GHANA
Not in the Land of Nkrumah: #SayNoToGalamsey #FreeTheCitizens
We, the undersigned Pan African movements, activists and concerned individuals stand firmly in solidarity with the people of Ghana as they confront the devastating impact of Galamsey, the illegal and unregulated mining scourge ravaging their water bodies and environment. The recent unlawful arrest, detention, and charging of 53 courageous citizens who dared to challenge this destructive practice is a stark reminder of the Government’s priorities: protecting the interests of the powerful over the people’s right to a safe and healthy environment.
A Call to Action
The recent protests are a resounding testament to the mounting frustration and discontent among citizens, and we will not remain silent. We amplify the calls for #EndGalamseyNow and #FreeTheCitizens, serving as a reminder to Ghanaian authorities – particularly the Police – that the eyes of Africa and her diaspora are intently watching.
Condemning Human Rights Abuses
We unequivocally denounce the Ghanaian Government’s gross mismanagement of the nation’s natural resources and the Ghana Police Service’s blatant disregard for the rule of law and human rights in handling the 53 detained patriots. This disturbing trend of unlawful behavior by the Police has been escalating over the years, with instances of unprofessional conduct, abuse, and corruption.
Every citizen has the right to access a lawyer when arrested, as enshrined in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, specifically Article 14(1), which protects personal liberty. The arrest and detention of the 53 patriots in undisclosed locations and in some cases, beyond the constitutionally mandated 48-hour period without charge is a blatant disregard for their fundamental rights. In a nation with a constitution that already deprives its People of many rights, surely the rights that are protected should be respected.
The Ghana Police Service’s heinous actions have crossed a red line. Denying the 53 detained patriots access to basic necessities like food, water, and life-saving medication is a reprehensible display of state-sponsored cruelty. The viral video of a concerned brother being barred from delivering diabetes medication to his ailing sister is a gut-wrenching testament to this brutality. These actions are not mere negligence; they are deliberate attempts to inflict bodily harm and psychological trauma. Forcing Glenn Samm to stand for 24 hours and leaving others with bruises and swollen legs are clear indicators of police torture.
The treatment of the 53 detained patriots advocating for environmental protection is alarming and unacceptable. It is a clear violation of their constitutional rights and human rights, which are essential for a functioning democracy. The actions of the Government and its actors are a blatant disregard for the fundamental freedoms that Ghanaians are entitled to, including the right to free speech, assembly, and organization against injustices.
Protecting Fundamental Freedoms
We are witnessing a travesty of justice in Ghana, where baseless charges are being slapped on courageous citizens who dared to speak out against galamsey, the destructive practice of illegal mining that’s poisoning our water, ravaging our environment, and threatening our nation’s future. The Judiciary’s complicity in this charade is not only shameful but also emboldens the Ghana Police Service’s unprofessionalism and unethical behavior, trampling the principles of natural justice.These brave patriots did not commit any crime; they simply demanded action against galamsey. Instead of engaging in constructive dialogue, the Government responded with brute force, exposing the citizens to physical harm and psychological trauma.
Towards a Pan African Justice
We, the collective voices of Africans at home and in the diaspora, unite to vehemently condemn the egregious human rights violations perpetrated by the Ghanaian Government.
The unjust detention of vulnerable citizens – youth, minors, pregnant women, and the elderly – in inhumane conditions is a stark reminder of governance failure and a shameful betrayal of the promises made to our people under the 1992 Constitution, African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- We demand the immediate release of unlawfully detained citizens and the full restoration of their rights.
- We demand an independent and public investigation into police misconduct and the Judiciary’s complicity.
- We urge all civil society organizations, human rights groups, student organizations, labor unions, and justice-seeking individuals to unite against the oppressive forces that perpetuate human rights abuses and galamsey (illegal mining) in Ghana.
- We call for a full review of all mining agreements including so-called ‘legal’ ones with multinationals such as Newmont and Ashanti-Gold.
- We demand that all collected information on damage and projections of damage caused by mining in Ghana be made available to the public.
Today, we stand united with the people of Africa in their quest for justice and accountability. From Nairobi to Kampala, Harare to Abuja, citizens are demanding freedom and refusing to be silenced. We condemn the arrests and detention of African patriots in Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Angola, and Uganda. We are fighting for collective well-being, not just individual freedoms. When one African suffers, we all suffer. Injustice anywhere erodes our collective freedoms.
We reaffirm our commitment to social justice, human dignity, and African rights. We will continue to mobilize, amplify our voices, and demand a future free from persecution.
To African governments: listen to our demands and respect our rights.
To the Ghanaian government and Ghana Police Service: your disgraceful conduct has been seen the world over. It must not be repeated. It is the right of the People to stand, and it is for you to serve them.
To the people of Africa: rise up, stand firm. Forward to a United and prosperous Africa!
Until we are ALL free.
