The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed serious concern over the Accra Circuit Court’s decision to remand 39 protestors associated with the Democracy Hub, following their demonstration against illegal mining practices in the country. The party described the action as indicative of the oppressive tactics employed by the current Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration.
The protestors, who were advocating for environmental protection, were reportedly arrested under brutal conditions by officers of the Ghana Police Service during a three-day demonstration. Eyewitness accounts reveal that the police utilized excessive force, with reports of innocent civilians—including minors and a four-month-pregnant woman—being manhandled during the arrests.
“The arrests involved brutalities meted out to innocent unarmed civilians,” said NDC National Communication Officer, Sammy Gyamfi. “This high-handedness by the police is reprehensible, especially as these individuals were merely exercising their fundamental right to protest against the illegal mining that has devastated our environment.”
Concerns have also been raised regarding the treatment of the remanded protestors, with families and lawyers reporting difficulties in accessing their loved ones. Allegations of neglect regarding basic necessities such as food and water have been made, further fueling public outrage.
The NDC criticized the decision to remand protestors for offenses classified as misdemeanors, arguing that such actions undermine the democratic rights of citizens. “The right to protest is an inviolable fundamental human right and must not be inhibited by such acts of high-handedness by the Police and the Courts,” Gyamfi added.
The party reiterated that the focus should instead be on the officials responsible for the rampant illegal mining practices harming Ghana’s water bodies and environment. “Those who ought to be arrested are the irresponsible officials of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government who are polluting our resources,” Gyamfi stated.
In light of these events, the NDC is demanding the immediate discontinuation of prosecution against the protestors and their release. They assert that citizens advocating for an end to the galamsey menace, an issue previously acknowledged by President Akufo-Addo, deserve support rather than punishment.
As the situation unfolds, the NDC has called on President Akufo-Addo to take immediate action by instructing the Attorney-General to halt the prosecution, emphasizing that those merely seeking accountability should not be targets of governmental repression.
The incident raises significant questions about the balance between maintaining public order and respecting citizens’ rights to peaceful protest in Ghana.
