Abstract

Since its independence – but in some cases even at the height of colonial rule – civil society movements in Ghana have arisen mainly as spontaneous activities and collective actions centered on the achievement of specific goals. Some examples are the recent #StopGalamsey to stop environmental damage caused by illegal mining activities, or even the Water March and Occupy Yayaso a few years ago. These groups sprung up to defend land rights and oppose exploitation – by multinationals or by foreign public or private companies – that jeopardizes the survival of the environment and of entire communities.