President Akufo-Addo has justified the recent arrest and detention of some 53 Democracy Hub protesters who went on a 3-day protest against galamsey.
The protesters have been remanded in prison and police custody for two weeks and have been scheduled to reappear in court on October 8.
Speaking in a recent interview on France 24, President Akufo-Addo clarified that their arrest has nothing to do with the Executive arm of government, stating that the behaviour of the protesters led to their arrest.
The President explained that only the courts in Ghana have the sole right to jail persons, emphasising his innocence in the arrest of the protesters.
“I am not responsible for jailing people in Ghana. 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,” the President said.
President Akufo-Addo who in the past has led a number of protests in the country categorically noted that he has no issue with citizens protesting to register their grievances.
According to him, government is not stifling citizens’ right through any means.
“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 and nothing is done in Ghana to prevent people from airing their views on anything,” the President added.
🚨ICYMI🇬🇭✊🏾🗣️: President @NAkufoAddo has finally commented on the recent protests against galamsey and the arrest of anti-galamsey activists during an interview with @FRANCE24.
“I'm not responsible for jailing people in Ghana. The courts in Ghana are independent institutions,… pic.twitter.com/cNktdDhbes
— Ölele | Building OSN (@OleleSalvador) October 6, 2024
Police charged the protesters who were arrested on the second day [September 22,2024] of their protest 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.
They have all pleaded not guilty and were denied bail.
In the past weeks, Ghanaians have embarked on different protests to demand an immediate action from Government to end illegal mining in the country.
The rising galamsey menace has already led to the pollution of water bodies in the country causing citizens to rise against the activity before all hopes of salvaging the situation is lost.
From Thursday, October 3 to Saturday, October 5, Coalition of Citizens Against Galamsey also embarked on a three day protest against galamsey and demanded the release of the detainees.
