KEY POINTS
- NDC condemns the arrest of anti-galamsey protesters by the Ghana Police.
- The party calls for the immediate release of protesters and an end to their prosecution.
- NDC criticizes the government for targeting peaceful protesters instead of addressing illegal mining issues.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the recent arrest and remand of protesters from the Democracy Hub, calling for their immediate release and an end to their prosecution. The protesters had staged a demonstration against illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) and economic mismanagement by the current administration.
In a statement released by the NDC’s National Communication Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, the party criticized the Ghana Police Service for arresting several peaceful demonstrators, including minors, elderly individuals, and a pregnant woman.
The arrests, according to Gyamfi, were accompanied by police brutality, which he described as “inhumane and violent.”
Allegations of police brutality
The protests, organized by the Democracy Hub, were held from September 21 to 23, 2024, in response to the ongoing environmental devastation caused by illegal mining operations in Ghana. Moreover, the NDC claims that the Ghana Police Service used excessive force in detaining 39 protesters, some of whom were bystanders.
“Among those arrested were innocent civilians, including a pregnant woman who was merely taking pictures near the demonstration and a man returning from church,” Gyamfi said in the statement.
The party criticized the Accra Circuit Court’s decision to remand the protesters, arguing that harsh measures should not curtail the fundamental human right to protest.
Gyamfi further called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to take action, accusing the government of using the police as a tool for suppressing dissent. He urged the president to order the Attorney-General to drop the charges against the protesters.
Criticism of Government response
The NDC also pointed out the government’s failure to address the illegal mining crisis, which has caused widespread environmental damage.
According to Graphic Online, the party emphasized that those responsible for the environmental destruction should be held accountable, not the citizens protesting against the issue.
“It is disheartening that instead of focusing on stopping the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining, the government has chosen to target peaceful protesters,” Gyamfi said. He also condemned the remanding of protesters for misdemeanor charges, calling the court’s decision unjust.
Furthermore, the NDC expressed its support for the protesters and reiterated its demand for their immediate release, arguing that the demonstrators were only exercising their right to demand accountability from the government.
Call for justice and accountability
The NDC’s statement concluded by calling for justice and urging the government to prioritize addressing the root causes of the illegal mining crisis.
“Those who should face legal consequences are the officials responsible for the devastation of our natural resources, not the citizens advocating for a better future,” the party said.
In addition, the opposition party called on all stakeholders, including the police and judiciary, to respect the rights of citizens to peacefully protest and hold the government accountable.
