#StopGalamsey: Release arrested demonstrators immediately, they are not the enemy – Denkyirahene to Akufo-Addo

The Paramount Chief of the Denkyira Traditional Area, Osaberima Tsibu Kwaw Darko, has asked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to ensure the immediate release of the over 50 persons arrested during a protest against illegal mining.

According to Osaberima Tsibu Kwaw Darko, it is galamsey, its associated risks, and its perpetrators who are the enemies of the state, not those who are demanding an end to the menace.

“I am talking to our president, His Excellency Akufo-Addo, that enough is enough. He must impose a ban on galamsey. We will not sit aloof and watch our waters get destroyed; we will not sit and watch our children struggle to get good drinking water in the future. We don’t have money to import water from abroad, so today we are telling the media here to carry it on that Osaberima Tsibu Kwaw Darko is demanding an embargo on galamsey; whether small-scale mining or whatever, our water is more important.

“The message should also be carried to the president that the concerned citizens who protested against the destruction of our river bodies are not the enemy. With immediate effect, they should be released. They have not done any wrong,” the chief said.

He pointed out some negative impacts of galamsey, including its threat to aquatic and human life, and demanded the president’s immediate action.

There has been growing pressure in recent times on the government to take decisive action against illegal mining.

The arrest and prosecution of some protesters against illegal mining two weeks ago have also escalated the pressure on the government.

On Saturday, hundreds of Ghanaians ended a three-day protest organised by the Citizens Coalition Against Illegal Mining.

The protesters, demanding action by the government against illegal mining and the immediate release of those arrested, marched through the streets of the national capital to press home their demands.

Meanwhile, President Nana Akufo-Addo has asked Organised Labour to give him more time to act after the labour group declared their decision to embark on a nationwide strike beginning October 10, 2024.

The decision by Organised Labour comes after the president failed to meet an earlier deadline set in demand of action against illegal mining.

I call on President Nana Addo to immediately release the #StopGalamseyNow demonstrators from custody, for they are not enemies of the state. – Osaberima Tsibu Kwaw Darko (Paramount Chief of the Enyan Denkyira Traditional Area) #FreeTheCitizens #StarrFM #StarrNews pic.twitter.com/fWRFwHSv3Q

— Starr 103.5 FM (@starr1035fm) October 5, 2024

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