Govt withdraws injunction against anti-galamsey protest – Deputy AG

Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Justice Srem-Sai, has made an announcement. The government has withdrawn a legal application to stop a protest against illegal mining. This protest is commonly known as galamsey.

The Greater Accra Regional Police Command had filed an action at the Accra High Court. They sought an injunction to prevent the demonstration organized by the Generational Rights Protection Society (GRPS). The GRPS is led by media personalities Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah and Kwame Appiah Kubi.

They are mobilizing this protest to demand stronger action against illegal mining in Ghana. The police argued that the organizers did not respond to official communications. They also claimed that permission was not secured to use Liberation Square, a restricted area.

Additionally, the police cited national security concerns. They pointed to intelligence reports warning of possible infiltration by “undesirable elements.” This was due to a lack of participant data.

On Friday, Justice Srem-Sai posted on Facebook about the situation. He stated that the Attorney-General’s Department directed the withdrawal of the injunction. This decision followed consultations with national security and intelligence agencies.

“After two meetings with security and intelligence agencies yesterday,” he wrote, “the Attorney-General directed that the application for injunction be withdrawn.” He confirmed that the demonstration would proceed as planned.

“The right to demonstrate is protected by the Constitution,” he added. President John Mahama understands this right well. His Attorney-General, Dr Dominic Ayine, will uphold citizens' rights to demonstrate.

Following this withdrawal, the planned protest will take place on April 28–29, 2025. It will start at Obra Spot (Kwame Nkrumah Circle) and continue along Ring Road. The event will end at Liberation Square, opposite Jubilee House, running from 4 PM until midnight.