Founder of the Ghana Youth Environmental Movement, Gideon Commey, who staged a one-man protest at the ongoing COP27 in Egypt said the attention the video has received and the overall support for the campaign has been overwhelming. In a video posted on the Movement’s Twitter page, Gideon was seen holding a placard calling on Ghanaian officials present to address the galamsey canker in the country. He managed to get the attention of the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Akoto Afriyie even though he was visibly not interested in what was being shown to him. Gideon Commey later said his attempts to get the Agricultural Minister, Akoto Afriyie to address the galamsey menace proved futile as the Minister brushed him off.
“I was at COP27 today. I staged a one-man direct action targeting Ghana officials at the summit. I didn’t see Abu Jinapor but I targeted the Agric Minister and told him that his government should address galamsey else there’s no point they being at COP. “He told me he was having an important discussion (with the man he’s talking to) so I should keep quiet. I told him my galamsey campaign was equally important,” he said. The protest by the Founder of GYEM was widely publicized in the country with many people praising him for his bravery as illegal mining continue to cause havoc with state officials playing the ostrich. He wrote on his Twitter page “I staged the one-man protest at #COP27 yesterday as an activist who deeply cares about the climate, and a concerned Ghanaian citizen frustrated and angry at the current state of our water bodies and forests because of galamsey (illegal small-scale mining)”. “The attention the video has received and overall support for the campaign has been overwhelming. This shows I spoke the minds of thousands of Ghanaians who are exhausted and feeling hopeless about the lack of conviction, leadership and action from our political leaders”.
“This in turn gives me hope about what our youth can do if we rise, speak truth to power and hold leaders accountable. Thank you everyone! I’m also grateful to @dekadzewofia for providing me with direct support without which I wouldn't have been successful yesterday. Alice Walker once said, "activism is the rent I pay for living on this planet". We should not stop fighting for the environment and the #planet. The day we stop is when we also cease fighting for our lives”, he added.
Galamsey menace
Galamsey has devastated many mining communities in the country. In areas, like Amansie, land likened to the size of a town has completely been destroyed by illegal mining activities. Several rivers have been severely polluted with mud and mercury residue from mining activities. Some communities have mines dug under homes leading to buildings collapsing on residents. Attempts by government to halt the activities of the illegal miners have not been successful as miners continue with their illegal activities on the blind side of government.