The Presidential Candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has condemned the decision to remand the Democracy Hub protesters, asserting that the youth have a right to protest, particularly on critical issues like environmental destruction caused by illegal mining.
In a tweet on X, Mahama stated that “draconian judicial decisions” would not silence the youth from speaking out.
He emphasized the need to safeguard their rights and called on authorities to urge the judge to reconsider the remand decision and grant the protesters bail.
“We must balance our need to maintain law and order with protecting the rights and freedoms of our citizens,” Mahama said.
The Democracy Hub organized a three-day protest from September 21 to 23, 2024, against illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) and economic mismanagement. A total of 53 protesters have been arraigned in court as of September 25, 2024.
The demonstration aimed to draw attention to the harmful effects of galamsey and the perceived mismanagement of Ghana’s economy.
Mahama’s full tweet read:
“High-handedness! We must balance our need to maintain law and order with protecting the rights and freedoms of our citizens. Remanding Democracy Hub demonstrators for two weeks is high-handed and an abuse of their rights. The youth of Ghana have a right to engage in manifestations to protect their future, especially on key issues like the destruction of the environment through illegal mining. Draconian judicial decisions such as this won’t stop them from speaking out. The authorities must request the judge to review the remand decision and grant them bail immediately.”
High-handedness!
We must balance our need to maintain law and order with protecting the rights and freedoms of our citizens.Remanding Democracy Hub demonstrators for 2 weeks is high-handed and an abuse of their rights.
The youth of Ghana have a right to engage in…
— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) September 26, 2024
Source: graphic.com.gh
