Gospel
musician
Great
Ampong
has
sparked
controversy
by
suggesting
that
recent
anti-galamsey
protests
are
orchestrated
attempts
to
discredit
the
current
government
ahead
of
December’s
elections.
The
protests,
organized
by
the
Coalition
of
Concerned
Citizens
against
Galamsey,
sought
to
address
illegal
mining
concerns
and
advocate
for
the
release
of
53
Democracy
Hub
protesters
detained
following
a
September
22,
2024,
demonstration.
Sharing
his
two
cents
on
the
issue
during
an
appearance
on
Gye
Nyame
FM,
Great
Ampong
questioned
the
timing
of
the
demonstrations.
“Why
did
they
wait
until
two
months
before
the
elections
to
demonstrate?
Why
now?
It
suggests
they
have
been
paid,”-
he
said.
Great-Ampong
The
Hossana
hitmaker
criticised
the
protest’s
location,
arguing
that
demonstrations
against
illegal
mining
should
occur
at
actual
galamsey
sites
rather
than
in
Accra.
Ampong
further
suggested
that
he
would
have
denied
permits
for
the
demonstration
had
he
been
the
Inspector
General
of
Police
(IGP).
He
characterized
the
protests
as
“nonsense”
and
claimed
they
were
designed
to
undermine
the
government’s
popularity.
The
musician
also
addressed
planned
labour
union
strikes,
suggesting
these
actions
were
misguided.
“”You
want
to
demonstrate
against
galamsey,
but
you’re
doing
it
at
37?
It’s
a
pointless
demonstration.
People
are
turning
democracy
into
gyimicracy,”
–
He
stated.