Some members of the Fix the Country movement converged on Revolution Square in Accra on Sunday, September 21, 2025, to begin a vigil aimed at pressuring the government to step up its fight against illegal mining, widely known as galamsey.
The vigil, part of the group’s sustained campaign against environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, drew scores of activists who vowed to continue their action until concrete measures are taken by the authorities.
Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency, Mustapha Gbande, appeared at the grounds to appeal to the organisers to call off the event. He explained that President John Dramani Mahama had travelled outside the country for the United Nations General Assembly and suggested that the vigil be suspended to allow room for further engagements.
“I am here to plead with you that, at least if the purpose is served, can we call it off and allow ourselves to go and rest? The President has left for the UN General Assembly,” Mr Gbande told the gathering.
He added that government would arrange for the leadership of the movement to meet with the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources to be briefed on ongoing interventions against galamsey, stressing that the fight required collaboration between citizens and state institutions.
But the group rejected the appeal outright, hooting at Mr Gbande and insisting on continuing their vigil. They argued that government had demonstrated little political will in addressing the menace and that civil action was necessary to protect Ghana’s water bodies, forests, and farmlands from further destruction.
The standoff highlights growing public frustration over illegal mining, which many view as an existential threat to the country’s environment and long-term survival.
