Oliver Barker Vormawor Announces Major Stop Galamsey Now Protest on September 21

Ghanaian activist and leader of Democracy Hub Oliver Barker Vormawor has announced plans for a large-scale demonstration and picketing exercise scheduled for Sunday, September 21, 2025. The protest, dubbed “Stop Galamsey Now,” is aimed at demanding urgent government action to end illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
The announcement was made via Barker Vormawor’s official Facebook page on Sunday, September 14, 2025. He revealed that the protest will take place on Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day a public holiday in Ghana. According to him the choice of this date is intentional as it will allow more Ghanaians especially workers and students to participate without disrupting their normal schedules.
Focus on Environmental Protection
In his post, Barker Vormawor stressed the critical need for immediate and decisive action to halt galamsey operations across the country. He warned that illegal mining is wreaking havoc on Ghana’s environment, particularly its forests, rivers, and streams, many of which serve as sources of drinking water for communities.
Entire communities are losing access to clean water, and our natural resources are being destroyed beyond repair, he wrote.
Galamsey has long been a pressing issue in Ghana. Despite numerous campaigns and government promises, illegal mining activities continue to pollute rivers and degrade land. Mercury and other toxic chemicals used in unregulated mining have led to widespread environmental damage, raising health concerns among local populations.
Support from Environmental and Civil Groups
The upcoming protest is expected to draw support from a broad spectrum of society, including environmental activists, local chiefs, students, community leaders and concerned citizens. Many have praised the initiative as a necessary push to hold the government accountable for protecting the country’s natural resources.
Barker Vormawor is no stranger to public advocacy. He has previously organized several national protests, including earlier Stop Galamsey campaigns, which attracted widespread attention and media coverage.
While the Ghana Police Service has yet to issue an official statement regarding the planned demonstration, organizers have assured the public that the event will be peaceful and lawful. They have urged all participants to respect the law and conduct themselves responsibly throughout the protest.
“This is about the future of our country. We must stand up, but we must also do so peacefully and respectfully,” Barker Vormawor emphasized.
The “Stop Galamsey Now” protest aims to place strong pressure on government officials and relevant authorities to act swiftly and effectively. Organizers believe that with enough public support, real change can be achieved in the fight against illegal mining.
As the date approaches, momentum is building, with many seeing the protest as one of the most significant environmental demonstrations in recent years.
The protest on September 21 is not just a call to action—it is a demand for accountability. As Ghana celebrates the legacy of Kwame Nkrumah, activists hope the day will also mark a turning point in the fight to save the country’s natural environment from destruction.