Abraham Koomson, Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), has voiced his support for the Democracy Hub protesters arrested for demonstrating against illegal mining, or galamsey.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Yepe Ahunu program on Saturday, September 28, 2024, Mr. Koomson condemned the arrests, attributing them to the failings of President Akufo-Addo, whom he described as “wicked” and “evil” due to his treatment of citizens.
Mr. Koomson urged the protesters to stay strong, assuring them that the entire country stands behind them.
He argued that their protest was a rightful response to the ongoing destruction of Ghana’s environment through the pollution of water bodies and the destruction of forest reserves.
He also called the reasons for their arrest a mere tactic to distract from the pressing issue of galamsey.
The GFL leader accused President Akufo-Addo of manipulating the Ghana Police Service for personal gains and called for the resignation of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over the harsh treatment of the protesters.
He questioned the decision to remand them for two weeks for allegedly damaging state property, especially when the Supreme Court has ruled that all offenses in Ghana are bailable.
Mr. Koomson reaffirmed the Ghana Federation of Labour’s commitment to fighting against galamsey, noting that Organized Labour—of which the GFL is a part—has been vocal in demanding an end to illegal mining activities.
At a meeting with an ad-hoc inter-ministerial committee on September 17, 2024, Organized Labour demanded effective and lasting solutions to the galamsey crisis.
Organized Labour warned that if the government fails to meet these demands by the end of September, the group is prepared to take actions that could be detrimental to the government.
As the September deadline approaches, Mr. Koomson revealed that Organized Labour will meet on October 1 to decide on their next steps.
He warned that their response could surpass the Democracy Hub demonstration in scale and intensity.
“Galamsey is killing the country,” he said, “and we are prepared to take serious action. The protesters shouldn’t worry—Ghana is behind them. Sooner or later, God will intervene on their behalf.”
In addition to the galamsey issue, Mr. Koomson also called on Ghanaians to put pressure on the Electoral Commission (EC) to act impartially before, during, and after the 2024 elections.
He accused the EC of favoring the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), referring to it as the “extended party office” of the NPP.
He urged Ghanaians to vote out the NPP, warning that the country would suffer if the party continues in power.
He added that President Akufo-Addo’s actions toward citizens should motivate voters to remove the NPP from office.
“Top dignitaries warned us against Akufo-Addo, but we failed to listen,”Mr. Koomson said, criticizing the heavy-handed arrest of the demonstrators. “How do you arrest people as if we’re at war? They were only asking for the government to stop polluting our water bodies.”
He also cited the failed construction of the National Cathedral as an example of the government’s incompetence, after spending $58 million without tangible results.
He mocked the project, saying, “They arrested someone for tearing down the fence so citizens could see what their money was spent on. They saw a swimming pool, not a cathedral. I will send my family to the construction site to enjoy the swimming pool—let them arrest us too.”
LISTEN TO ABRAHAM KOOMSON IN THE AUDIO BELOW:
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#RomeoWrites✍️) / Ahotoronline.com | Ghana🇬🇭
