Protesters against illegal small-scale mining (Galamsey) need more support and protection, the Founder of the Pan African Heritage Museum, Kojo Yankah has said.
Recently, some protesters were arrested during their second day of demonstration [September 22] against galamsey have been detained and remanded into prison and police custody.
They have been scheduled to reappear in court on October 8. They were charged with offences such as conspiracy to commit crime, unlawful assembly, causing unlawful damage, offensive conduct conducive to breach of peace, assault on public officer and defacement of public notice.
The protesters have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Commenting on his official Facebook page, Mr Yankah said “Those protesting against galamsey deserve more sympathy, support and protection than those endangering the environment and future of Ghana; without any prejudice whatsoever.”
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has said the Executive arm of government has no influence in the recent arrest and detention of some Democracy Hub protesters.
President Akufo-Addo believes that the recent arrest and detention of the protesters rather stems from their behaviour during the protest.
“How can a president who himself, his political career was aided by leading protests have problems with protest, I don’t have problems with protests,” President Akufo-Addo told France 24 in a recent interview.
According to him, government is not stifling citizens’ right through any means.
The President further elaborated that the courts in Ghana are “independent” of their mandates with no influence from the Executive.
“The courts in Ghana are independent institutions and they have been all through this fourth republic.
“People misconduct themselves and they are brought before the court, it is for the court to deal with them…it has nothing to do with the Executive.
“Their behaviour is what lands them in problem with the police and the court, it is not the protest,” he added.
They petitioned the Attorney-General and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources on the issue.
