Prince Ganaku, a member of the Democracy Hub’s legal team, has accused the Ghana Police Service of unlawfully arresting over 46 protesters during a three-day demonstration in Accra.
The protest, organized to express dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the economic crisis and the ongoing problem of illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, ended in what Ganaku described as a “targeted crackdown” by the authorities.
According to Ganaku, the arrests were made without proper legal justification, and the police have since failed to provide a complete list of those detained, leaving the Democracy Hub scrambling to locate the missing demonstrators.
“We have had to search the streets of Accra ourselves, trying to track down where our colleagues are being held. The police have not been forthcoming with information, which only adds to the frustration and confusion surrounding these unlawful arrests,” he stated in an interview with Ahotor News.
He also revealed that many of the arrested protesters have been dispersed to various detention centers across the country, making it difficult for their legal team to offer adequate representation.
Ganaku claimed that despite repeated attempts, the detainees have been denied access to legal counsel, a violation of their basic rights.
“This is a gross abuse of power. Not only are they unlawfully detained, but they are also being denied their right to legal representation,” he said.
Ganaku further disclosed that the arrested individuals are expected to be arraigned in court on Tuesday, September 24.
He expressed concern over the manner in which the police have handled the situation, suggesting that the authorities are attempting to intimidate citizens who are exercising their democratic right to protest.
The three-day demonstration, organized by the Democracy Hub, aimed to bring attention to critical national issues such as rising inflation, high unemployment, and the devastation caused by galamsey. The protesters argue that the government has failed to adequately address these challenges, which have severely impacted the lives of ordinary Ghanaians.
“We will not be silenced,” Ganaku declared, urging the public to stand in solidarity with those who were detained. He called on the government to respect the rights of citizens to peaceful protest and for the police to adhere to the rule of law.
“This kind of suppression only deepens the mistrust between the people and the state. We will continue to fight for accountability and justice,” he concluded.
The Democracy Hub and other civil society organizations are now calling for an independent investigation into the arrests, as well as the immediate release of those being held
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Story by Osei Akoto (Teacher Kojo) #Ahotoronline.com
