The running-mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman has called on authorities to re-direct their energies to fighting illegal mining activities rather than pursuing those protesting against the menace.
On September 17, Democracy Hub organised a three-day demonstration to mount pressure on the government to stop galamsey to avert its devastating impact on water bodies and forest reserves.
However, about 40 of the protesters have since been remanded in police and prison custody for allegedly for allegedly committing various offences during the protest.
Prof Opoku-Agyeman has condemned the arrest and called for the release of the protesters.
This was contained in a statement signed by her spokesperson James Agyenim-Boateng on September 26.
According to her, these individuals were exercising their civic responsibility and must therefore not be subjected to such maltreatment.
“The reports of manhandling, arrests, starvation, denial of access to family and legal counsel by the police as well as subsequent remand of the protesters, including a pregnant lady by an Accra Circuit court are alarming,” portions of the release read.
She also cautioned authorities to treat all protesters with respect and not subject them to treatments meted out to criminals.
The NDC running-mate also quizzed why the perpetrators of galamsey are left to continue degrading the environment whereas, well-meaning Ghanaians merely exercising their constitutional rights were in police custody.
“It is incongruous that those actively behind illegal mining are walking freely and smiling all the way to the bank while protesters who are concerned about the harmful impact of illegal mining are rather being suppressed,” the statement read
Prof Opoku-Agyeman juxtaposed the occurrence to that of an authoritarian society and called for the immediate release of protesters.
“These feudal, authoritarian and early-century reactions by the government to a peaceful protest have no place in a 21st Century democracy. The government must therefore immediately end the persecution of the protestors and unconditionally release those in custody.”
She added that the manner the government was handling the situation proved that they were not committed to the fight against Galmasey.
Source: myjoyonline.com
