CIVICUS discusses recent protests in Ghana with Jeremiah Sam, executive director of Pen Plus Bytes, a Ghanaian civil society organisation (CSO) working to promote effective governance through technology on a range of issues including climate change and environmental protection.

In early October, Ghanaian environmental activists held a three-day protest against the impacts of illegal mining on water and forests, and to demand the release of 53 activists who were arrested during a similar protest in September. They remain in detention and have been denied access to lawyers and medical care.

What are the conditions for environmental activism in Ghana?

Environmental activism is growing. Ghanaian civil society has been active for some time, particularly on issues such as transparency and democratic governance. More recently, its work has expanded beyond national borders to include regional issues of environmental protection and the promotion of human rights, democracy and good governance. Cooperation between CSOs and across movements has also increased, with organised labour and student groups starting to join forces with environmental groups.

However, we still face several challenges. There’s a general lack of responsiveness from the authorities, particularly when it comes to implementing recommendations aimed at regulating mining and stopping illegal activities with negative environmental impacts. Environmental activists, community-based organisations and local leaders who speak out against illegal mining, known as galamsey, face threats, intimidation and physical violence from state and non-state sources.

Illegal mining is entrenched and supported by networks of political and economic interests, so those who fight it often face severe backlash. It’s a lucrative business, and disrupting it leads to violent responses. That’s why journalists, particularly investigative reporters who expose high-level corruption and illegal activities involving politicians and powerful people, are major targets.

What were the recent environmental protests about?

The protests were sparked by alarming reports from the Ghana Water Company warning that illegal mining activities are threatening clean water supplies. This revitalised our advocacy efforts and united groups such as the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, CSOs and religious bodies around the common cause of protecting our water.

Our demands include an immediate ban on illegal mining, strict enforcement of environmental laws – particularly in protected areas such as rivers and forest reserves – and the declaration of a state of emergency in affected regions to allow for their rehabilitation. We call for greater transparency and accountability of government agencies, the prosecution of those who violate mining laws and the active involvement of local communities in decision-making processes related to mining. Reclamation of damaged land, including reforestation and restoration of water bodies, is also high on our agenda.

How did the authorities respond, and what more should they do?

Most of the protests were peaceful, with just one instance where the police and some protesters from a group called Democracy Hub were involved in a scuffle that resulted in 39 of their members being arrested for breaching public peace, obstructing justice and causing damages.

In response to activists’ demands, the government set up a committee to develop strategies to address galamsey, but many protesters feel sidelined. We call on the government to take more decisive action to tackle the problem, starting with repealing the 2017 law that allows mining in forest reserves. If this law is not repealed, the problem will persist.

To move forward, we need stronger environmental protection laws that ensure licensed small-scale miners operate within their legal boundaries and to prosecute high-profile individuals involved in illegal mining. We need to protect activists and journalists from intimidation, increase transparency in the licensing process and involve local CSOs more closely, using their knowledge and expertise to develop effective solutions.

The health of our water bodies and forests is vital, not just for Ghana but for global environmental sustainability. We must address these challenges comprehensively.