The FixTheCountry movement, led by activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has called for a vigil and march in Ghana’s capital to protest illegal mining, known as galamsey, highlighting its devastating environmental toll and urging collective action beyond partisan politics.

Announced on Monday, September 15, 2025, via X, the vigil is set for Sunday, September 21, at Revolution Square, followed by a public march on Monday, September 22, a national holiday. Barker-Vormawor framed the events as a response to an “environmental crisis of urgent proportions,” emphasizing that protecting Ghana’s forests, rivers, and lands is a “divine assignment” for all citizens. “Our responsibility to end galamsey does not end at elections. Nor does it begin after our party loses one. This is bigger than petty politics,” he wrote, inviting Ghanaians from all sectors to join.

Galamsey, driven by demand for gold, has ravaged water bodies like the Pra and Ankobra rivers and destroyed farmlands, with mercury pollution affecting communities. FixTheCountry has long criticized government inaction, alleging political interference shields culprits. The group previously urged traditional chiefs to spearhead local efforts, proposing youth-led community guards. Recent arrests of over 1,000 illegal miners, as noted by government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, signal intensified enforcement, with special courts planned to expedite prosecutions.

The campaign comes amid heightened tensions. President John Mahama, re-elected in 2024, faces pressure to act decisively, with some like Cadman Mills urging a state of emergency. Kwakye Ofosu defended Mahama, denying claims he’s soft on galamsey for economic gain and insisting past administrations also faced deserved criticism. However, debates persist over enforcement effectiveness, with security reports citing thousands displaced by related violence in mining regions like Ashanti and Western.

Barker-Vormawor’s call taps into growing public frustration, amplified by recent clashes, such as a Zongo chief’s shooting in Okorase and arson in Kalba, tied to resource disputes. The events aim to galvanize civic action, but critics warn protests must avoid escalating tensions in already volatile areas. As Ghana grapples with galamsey’s fallout, the march could test the government’s resolve to balance economic pressures with environmental and community demands.