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Ghanaians Wear Brown to Protest Environmental Damage from Illegal Mining

January 27, 2026
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Ghanaians are taking part in a symbolic campaign known as #BrownMonday to highlight the environmental destruction caused by illegal small-scale gold mining, locally called galamsey.

The campaign, part of the wider #StopGalamseyNow movement, draws attention to the severe pollution of rivers, lakes, and water bodies across the country. Unregulated mining has turned waters brown with sediment and toxic chemicals such as mercury and arsenic, posing serious threats to health, agriculture, and local livelihoods.

#BrownMonday encourages citizens to wear brown clothing each Monday as a visual representation of the contaminated water crisis, aiming to pressure authorities into action. Activists have shared their support online, with one noting: “Today has been dubbed ‘Brown Monday’ in the strenuous fight to end galamsey… the brown colour of my skin as a Ghanaian resonates equally with the awareness we seek to create.”

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Protests and awareness campaigns have intensified since 2024, involving civil society, religious organisations, and youth activists. Demonstrations have included environmental prayer walks, marches with petitions, and vigils in major cities calling for a ban on informal mining and a state of emergency in affected areas.

Public frustration is evident on social media, with citizens criticising perceived government inaction. Some commentators accuse officials of hypocrisy, while others allege complicity in protecting miners. Incidents of violence, including attempts by galamsey operators to disarm police, have added to the outrage.

Support for the campaign extends beyond activists. Organisations such as the Ghana Medical Association, the Christian Council, and the University Teachers’ Association of Ghana have urged decisive action, while youth groups are coordinating complementary campaigns, including nationwide “red” actions on Sundays.

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Despite arrests and intimidation, activists continue to press for stricter enforcement of mining laws and environmental protections, citing the constitutional right to a healthy environment. As of January 2026, #BrownMonday remains a weekly reminder of Ghana’s ongoing struggle against illegal mining.

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Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa

Prosper Okoye

Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa

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