Former President and National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer John Dramani Mahama has criticized the judicial decision to remand some demonstrators from the Democracy Hub for two weeks, describing the move as “high-handed” and an abuse of their rights.
In a social media post, Mahama stressed the importance of balancing law and order with the protection of citizens’ rights, particularly the youth who are advocating for a better future.
The Democracy Hub, a civil society group, organized a three-day protest from September 21 to 23, 2024, to raise awareness about illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, and the country’s ongoing economic mismanagement.
The protests aimed to draw attention to the environmental destruction caused by galamsey and to express dissatisfaction with the state of the economy.
In his post, Mahama voiced his concern over the treatment of the protesters, stating, “Remanding Democracy Hub demonstrators for 2 weeks is high-handed and an abuse of their rights.”
He added that the youth of Ghana have the right to protest and protect their future, especially on critical issues like environmental degradation caused by illegal mining.
Mahama further emphasized that harsh judicial actions would not silence the youth, asserting, “Draconian judicial decisions such as this won’t stop them from speaking out.”
He urged authorities to request the judge to review the remand decision and grant the protesters bail immediately.
As of September 25, 2024, the 53 protesters have been arraigned in court, but the call for a reassessment of their remand has sparked conversations about the state of freedom of expression in Ghana. Mahama’s statement amplifies growing concerns from various quarters about the handling of protests and the broader issue of governance in relation to galamsey and economic management.
The protests, which highlighted the damaging effects of illegal mining on Ghana’s environment and raised questions about economic mismanagement, have drawn significant public attention.
As the protesters await further judicial proceedings, the national discourse on galamsey and governance remains heated, with many calling for a more balanced approach to both law enforcement and the protection of civil liberties.
