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Ghanaian Outcry Against Illegal Mining

Published

1 year ago

September 26, 2024

KSmylesGH

An Effect of Illegal Mining on Water Bodies in Ghana

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The Ghanaian outcry against illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey,” shows a significant public and governmental response. Recently, protests organized by the Democracy Hub under the hashtag #OccupyJulorbiHouse have taken place in Accra, drawing attention to the environmental degradation caused by illegal mining.

These protests have not only highlighted the issue but also resulted in clashes with the police, leading to arrests. Over 40 protesters, including notable activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor, were detained. Barker-Vormawor was later hospitalized due to health issues following his arrest.

The protests are part of a broader movement against the government’s handling of illegal mining, which has led to widespread environmental destruction, including water pollution affecting over 60% of Ghana’s water bodies. The police and courts have taken actions against the protesters, with some being remanded in custody. However, this response has sparked further outcry over human rights concerns, with allegations of excessive force and denial of immediate medical care to detainees.

The movement has gained significant traction on social media with hashtags like #FreeTheCitizens trending, indicating widespread public support for the protesters and a demand for government action against illegal mining. The government, recognizing the severity of the issue, has initiated Operation Vanguard in 2017, a military and police joint task force aimed at combating illegal mining. Despite these efforts, the problem persists, with recent calls from various sectors including organized labor and academic groups for more decisive action against galamsey before a set deadline in September 2024.

The environmental consequences of illegal mining have been severe, with water and land pollution affecting communities’ health and livelihoods. This has been a significant point of contention, pushing various groups to demand immediate government intervention. This situation underscores a critical juncture in Ghana, where environmental conservation, governance, and human rights intersect, with the public demanding not just an end to illegal mining but also accountability and justice in how these issues are addressed by the authorities.

Related Topics:#FreeTheCitizens #OccupyJulorbiHouse Democracy Hub galamsey Ghana illegal mining Oliver Barker-Vormawor Protest

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Nazareth Baptist Church Awards Virginity Test Certificates to Women in Durban

Published

6 days ago

October 24, 2025

KSmylesGH

A certificate awarded to a virgin graduate in March.

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The Nazareth Baptist Church (also known as the Shembe Church), based in Ebuhleni in the northern outskirts of Durban, South Africa, is one of the country’s largest independent African-initiated churches, with roots dating back to 1910.

The church is led by a spiritual figurehead and emphasizes traditional Zulu customs blended with Christianity, including rituals aimed at promoting moral purity and cultural preservation. One of its longstanding practices involves conducting annual virginity tests on unmarried female members aged 18 and older as a means to encourage chastity and reduce premarital sex in the community.

The tests are performed mid-year (typically around July) and are free for participants. They involve a physical examination by a designated specialist to confirm virginity. Successful participants receive a “Certificate of Virginity,” signed by the church leader and the tester. A white ash mark is also applied to the forehead as a symbol of purity. Certificates are valid only until the next annual test, after which they expire, requiring re-testing to maintain the status.

Church leaders state that the ritual fosters discipline, self-respect, and abstinence among young women, aligning with broader efforts to combat social issues like teenage pregnancies and HIV/AIDS in South Africa.

This practice has been ongoing for decades and is voluntary within the church community, though it draws from traditional Zulu initiation rites

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Ghana Mourns Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings After Death at 76

Published

7 days ago

October 23, 2025

KSmylesGH

Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings

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Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady from 1981 to 2001, passed away on October 23, 2025, at Ridge Hospital in Accra after being admitted unresponsive.

She founded the 31st December Women’s Movement in 1982 to promote women’s entrepreneurship, education, and political participation, and became the first woman to run for president in 2016 under the National Democratic Party.

Her death, five years after her husband Jerry Rawlings’ passing, has drawn tributes from public figures, citizens, and institutions for her advocacy in gender equality and rural development.

A Life of Influence and Resilience

Married in 1977, she stood by Rawlings through his meteoric rise—from Air Force officer to leader of two coups in 1979 and 1981, and eventually to elected president under the Fourth Republic from 1993 to 2001.As First Lady for over two decades (intermittently from 1979 to 2001), she redefined the role, founding the 31st December Women’s Movement in 1982 to champion women’s rights, education, and economic independence.

Often dubbed the “Hillary Clinton of Africa” for her political ambition and unyielding presence, she broke barriers by becoming the first woman to run for Ghana’s presidency in 2016 under the National Democratic Party (NDP), which she founded after parting ways with the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings and Hillary Clinton

Though her 2012 bid for the NDC nomination fell short, her advocacy left an indelible mark, influencing policies on gender equality and community development.

Nana Konadu and Jerry Rawlings shared four children: Zanetor (a Member of Parliament), Yaa Asantewaa, Amina, and Kimathi.

Born on November 17, 1948, in Cape Coast, Central Region, Nana Konadu grew up in a family that valued education and public service. She attended Achimota School, where she met her future husband, Jerry John Rawlings, and later studied Art and Textiles at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

She outlived her husband by nearly five years; Rawlings died in November 2020 at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
In her later years, she remained active, attending public events like a funeral in the Ashanti Region just two weeks before her death, where she was seen singing hymns alongside dignitaries.

A Lasting Legacy Amid Controversy

Nana Konadu was no stranger to controversy—her outspoken nature and political maneuvers drew both admirers and critics. Yet, as one tribute put it, she was a woman who “dared, led, and blazed trails.”
Her memoir, launched in recent years, offers a firsthand account of her journey from 1948 onward, underscoring her call for better documentation of African history.

Funeral arrangements are pending official family announcement, but flags are expected to fly at half-mast as Ghana honors a matriarch whose voice amplified the marginalized for generations. Rest in power, Nana Konadu—your fire continues to light the path for Ghanaian women.

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Daddy Lumba’s First Wife Akosua Serwaa and Sister Petition for Death Probe

Published

2 weeks ago

October 15, 2025

KSmylesGH

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The first wife of Ghana’s highlife Legend Daddy Lumba, Akosua Serwaa Fosuh together with her sister Ernestina Fosuh on Wednesday 15th October, 2025 filled a petition with the German embassy in Ghana, Germany’s BKA, and Ghana’s CID, seeking an independent investigation into his July 26, 2025, death at the Bank hospital in Accra and the arrest of his second wife Marion ‘Odo Broni’ Awuku and manager Roman Fada for alleged negligence.

The petition highlights conflicting reports on his final days amid family disputes over his legacy and funeral arrangements scheduled for December 6, 2025, in Kumasi. The Fosu Royal Family defends Odo Broni under Ashanti customs, while Daddy Lumba’s children call for unity.