FixTheCountry Plans May Day Protest Against Illegal Mining
The #FixTheCountry Movement has announced a nationwide street protest slated for May 1, 2025, aimed at drawing urgent attention to the alarming environmental destruction caused by illegal mining activities across Ghana.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Ghana Connect the lead convener of the movement Oliver Barker-Vormawor, described the planned protest—dubbed “May Day, May Day”—as a symbolic national cry for help in the face of Ghana’s worsening environmental crisis.
According to Barker-Vormawor the protest will be a strong call to action urging the government to stop dragging its feet and begin implementing serious interventions to combat the devastation being caused by irresponsible and illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
“For months, we have seen the government act swiftly on other matters. But on this, there’s no clear roadmap. People say we should give them more time, but we believe time has already been wasted. We are stepping out to demand urgent and serious action, he stated.
The movement believes that Ghana’s forests, water bodies, and rural communities are under siege, with thousands of livelihoods and lives at risk. Satellite images and multiple environmental reports have shown the rapid degradation of protected lands, rivers, and farmlands, especially in the Western, Eastern, Ashanti, and Central Regions.
The timing of the protest—on May Day also known as International Workers’ Day—is deliberate. Organizers say the date was chosen to highlight the connection between environmental destruction and the loss of sustainable jobs, especially in agriculture, fishing, and tourism.
We are calling on all patriotic Ghanaians, civil society, student unions, religious leaders, traditional authorities, and environmental activists to join us. This is about protecting our future, the group stated in a release.
The planned protest is expected to take place in major cities, including Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, and Tamale, with peaceful marches, placards, speeches, and a petition to be presented to government authorities.
This announcement comes amid growing public frustration over the lack of decisive action against illegal miners, despite repeated government promises and the formation of various anti-galamsey task forces. Critics argue that some political and business actors continue to benefit from these destructive activities at the expense of the environment and the well-being of ordinary citizens.
The #FixTheCountry Movement has consistently used civic activism to push for greater transparency, accountability, and reforms across various sectors in Ghana. With this latest protest, the group is hoping to ignite a stronger national conversation and pressure policymakers to treat the environmental crisis with the urgency it deserves.
As May 1 approaches, all eyes will be on the turnout and the government’s response to what could be one of the most significant environmental protests in recent Ghanaian history.