UN urges Ghana to unite in tackling illegal mining amid anti-galamsey protests
The United Nations has urged Ghanaians to unite against illegal mining, which severely impacts the environment, economy, and social fabric of the country.
Amid ongoing protests against galamsey, the UN pointed out the dire consequences of unregulated mining, affecting not only Ghana but also the entire West African region.
UN Resident Coordinator Charles Abani stated, “Illegal and unregulated mining has devastating economic, social, and environmental consequences,” the statement read. “It exacerbates poverty, damages livelihoods, pollutes the environment, negatively impacts health and water, disrupts peace, and fuels illicit financial flows.”
Abani encouraged peaceful demonstrations, urging protesters to remain calm and law-abiding while calling on police to maintain professionalism and uphold human rights.
The UN called for unity among all sectors of Ghanaian society to address the crisis. “We call on all leaders in Ghana—government, national institutions, political parties, traditional and religious institutions, civil society, the private sector, and all citizens—across all opinion spectrums to work together to address this challenge. Ghana must succeed,” Abani urged.
The UN reiterated support for sustainable actions aligned with its #PactfortheFuture initiative, focusing on climate action, environmental protection, and securing a brighter future for generations.
