Ghana's Gold Mine Dilemma: Protests and Promises

In Ghana, protests erupted in Accra against unlicensed gold mining, known locally as 'galamsey,' which poses environmental and health risks. With a rise in global gold prices, small-scale mining has surged, prompting calls for reform as the nation approaches elections. Government action is anticipated amid economic challenges.

Hundreds of demonstrators marched through Ghana's capital, Accra, on Friday to protest unlicensed gold mining, urging authorities to address the perilous and environmentally damaging practice.

This illegal small-scale mining, termed "galamsey," has surged this year with a nearly 30% increase in global gold prices.

The protest, dubbed an "environmental prayer walk," involved delivering a petition for a ban on informal mining to the president's office. Plans for a nationwide strike by labor unions against galamsey were partly postponed after government promises.

(With inputs from agencies.)