Social media as a trigger for positive political action: The case of Ghana's fight against illegal small-scale mining (Galamsey)

Ebenezer Agbozo and Kamen Spassov

African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 2019, vol. 11, issue 5, 611-617

Abstract: A shift from social media being a medium of communication to being a voice of the people is underway. Nations have experienced a fair share of the use of social media in raising the awareness on certain cankers in society – some successful and others barren. Recent social media activism moves have instigated a general uprising on the issue which has been plaguing Ghana’s natural resources and health of residents of illegal small-scale mining communities.Our study analyzed approximately 11,000 tweets made between 1st March 2017 to 1st March 2018 on Twitter with the hashtag – #StopGalamseyNow. Our results reveal an insight into the reactions of Ghanaians and the level of outrage expressed which led to the raising of awareness by the media, and government acting swiftly to curb the menace.Ghana’s action is a testament to the fact that social media is a potent agent in political action (keeping government on its toes) in order to bring about national growth and establishing the true meaning of democratic governance.This study presents the use of social media as a vehicle for positive activism in bringing socioeconomic development coupled with the traditional media in amplifying the cries of citizens.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1080/20421338.2018.1557369

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