United Nations calls for orderly protests, professional policing in anti-galamsey demonstrations

The United Nations Office in Ghana has called for calm and cooperation as the citizens take to the streets to demand an end to illegal mining.

It further urge both demonstrators and law enforcement to act with responsibility and respect for human rights.

In a statement issued by the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Ghana, Charles Abani, the organisation called on those protesting in the ongoing anti-illegal mining demonstrations to remain peaceful and orderly.

The UN also called on the police "to maintain professionalism in protecting law and order while upholding human and civil rights."

The statement called for a collective effort and invited all stakeholders at the national level to come together and fight the challenge of illegal mining. 

"We call on all leaders in Ghana-in Government, in national institutions, in political parties, in traditional and religious institutions, in civil society, the private sector, and all citizens-across all opinion spectrums-to work together to address this challenge. Ghana must succeed," Abani said.

Illegal mining was identified by the United Nations as a regional issue, with the whole West Africa sub-region faced with "a host of problems" regarding the practice, while illegal mining also threatened to wreak its usual havoc on Ghana. 

This, Mr Abani said, would further increase poverty, destroy livelihoods, and pollute the environment.

Read the full statement below

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