A group of Ghanaians living in the United States and other countries, affiliated with different political parties, movements, and associations, staged a demonstration outside the United Nations Headquarters in New York on September 23. The protest, themed "GHANA AYƐ MMƆBƆ", aimed to draw international attention to issues requiring urgent action and demand measurable progress on commitments made during the 2024 election campaign.
The organisers of the demonstration, led by Kwasi Obeng-Fosu, highlighted several key issues, including freedom of speech, illegal mining, job creation, education, the 24-hour economy, support for women-owned businesses, and the automatic posting of newly qualified teachers and nurses. They expressed concern over the slow pace of implementation of campaign promises and called for clear timelines, targets, and measurable outcomes.
Illegal mining was a major focus of the demonstration, with protesters calling for stronger action to halt the destruction of forests and water bodies. They questioned why President John Dramani Mahama had not declared a state of emergency over galamsey, despite previous calls for such a measure while in opposition. The protesters also raised concerns about jobs created under the previous administration that were allegedly terminated after the change of government.
The demonstrators also scrutinised several campaign commitments, including the 24-hour economy, which they said had raised significant expectations among young people seeking employment. They questioned the government's progress on the proposed Women's Development Bank, the Adwumawura programme, expected to support 10,000 businesses, and the government's pledge to abolish the double-track system in senior high schools.
The protesters expressed concern over the arrest and prosecution of social media commentators and other citizens over alleged offensive or threatening statements. They cited recent cases involving women arrested in different parts of the country and questioned the circumstances surrounding the transportation of some suspects to the Adenta Circuit Court. The organisers argued that the enforcement of the law must be consistent and non-partisan.
The demonstration also touched on recent reports of large quantities of suspected cocaine being trafficked from Ghana to other countries. The protesters said the reports raised questions about Ghana's international reputation and called on the government to take decisive measures against drug trafficking and protect the country's standing within the international community.
The organisers stressed that their objective was not simply to criticise the government but to demand evidence of implementation, timelines for outstanding promises, and measurable results. They said the demonstration marked the beginning of a broader diaspora-led accountability campaign, which would include presenting a petition to Ghanaian representatives in the United States and monitoring the government's response to the issues raised.
Key points
- The protesters demanded greater accountability from the Ghanaian government over campaign promises, governance, employment, and the protection of citizens' rights.
- The demonstration highlighted concerns over illegal mining, freedom of speech, and the slow pace of implementation of campaign promises.
- The organisers plan to continue monitoring the government's response to the issues raised and present a petition to Ghanaian representatives in the United States.
