Ghanaian activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor, who was arrested for organizing protests against illegal mining, has been taken to the hospital for urgent medical care.
His lawyers claim he didn’t receive proper medical attention from the police after he reported feeling very ill. However, the police said that he and another detained protester were being treated at a police hospital.
Barker-Vormawor led a protest over the weekend against illegal gold mining, known locally as “galamsey,” which has severely polluted many of Ghana’s water sources.
He was arrested along with over 40 others after clashes with police and was supposed to appear in court soon.
Some protesters have reported being denied food and water since their arrest, but police have not commented on these claims.
The police’s treatment of the protesters has drawn widespread condemnation from Ghanaians, who are demanding their immediate release using the hashtag #FreeTheCitizens, which is trending on social media.
The illegal mining issue in Ghana is serious, as it has led to water treatment plants shutting down and has raised concerns about future water shortages. If the problem isn’t addressed, experts warn that Ghana might have to start importing water by 2030.
President Nana Akufo-Addo has called for police and military action against illegal miners, but previous attempts to tackle the issue have failed.
As noted by the BBC, many illegal miners have adapted by working at night, complicating efforts to combat the problem.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7v6nvm4jd2o