Economic Advisor and Spokesperson for the Vice President, Dr. Gideon Brako, has sparked controversy with a Facebook post suggesting that protesters in Accra should also focus their demonstrations on local environmental issues, such as the polluted Odaw River.
In the now-deleted post, Dr. Brako criticized the ongoing protests against illegal mining (galamsey) and its environmental impact, implying that the activists were selective in their concerns.
He argued that it was hypocritical for demonstrators to focus on pollution affecting rivers like the Pra and Tano outside of Accra while ignoring the severe pollution of the Odaw River and Korle Lagoon in the capital. The post ended with the hashtag #EqualAttention.
This remark has triggered a wave of backlash, with many Ghanaians expressing their anger and disappointment over what they perceive as an attempt to diminish the efforts of anti-galamsey protesters. Despite deleting the post, screenshots have resurfaced, further fueling the criticism directed at Dr. Brako.
The comment comes amid widespread protests against galamsey and its damaging effects on Ghana’s environment. The protests, organized by Democracy Hub in September, led to the arrest of 54 demonstrators, with a follow-up demonstration, dubbed #FreeTheCitizens, demanding the release of those arrested while highlighting the destructive impact of illegal mining.
