The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has sharply condemned the decision to remand 39 Democracy Hub protesters for two weeks, calling it “high-handed” and a violation of their rights.
The protesters, part of Democracy Hub, held a demonstration last Saturday against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, urging President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to take immediate action to stop the destructive practice and safeguard the country’s water bodies and forests.
Although the protest was meant to be peaceful, tensions flared, leading to clashes between some demonstrators and the police.
The Ghana Police Service accused the protesters of blocking roads, dismantling police barricades, and disrupting traffic during their protest at the 37 Roundabout in Accra, which resulted in the arrest of over 50 individuals.
On Tuesday, September 24, a court remanded 39 of the protesters into police custody for two weeks, with an additional 11 protesters remanded on September 25.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Mahama emphasized, “We must balance our need to maintain law and order with the protection of the rights and freedoms of our citizens.”
He added “The youth of Ghana have a right to engage in manifestations to protect their future, especially in respect of key issues like the destruction of the environment through illegal mining. Draconian judicial decisions such as this won’t stop them from speaking out.
“The authorities must request the judge to review the remand decision and grant them bail immediately.”
