Ghanaians in New York have joined the protests in Accra, demanding the immediate release of those detained for opposing destructive mining activities. These protesters, arrested in the country’s capital, are calling for an end to mining that is devastating Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves.
Police admitted to holding some protesters for more than 48 hours, violating the Constitution. Over 30 protesters appeared before the Circuit Court in Accra, which denied them bail and remanded them to prison, a breach of constitutional protections that prohibit housing suspects with convicted criminals.
Protesters also allege police have denied them access to legal representation and food for days.
Lawyers and advocacy groups are pressing for the prosecution to end, but the police remain adamant. Protests in Accra escalated into unrest when some demonstrators blocked major roads.
Analysts suggest that certain clandestine elements infiltrated the protests, leading to the disturbances. Meanwhile, the government has remained silent in the face of the protesters’ demands.
Several groups are calling on the government to revoke a Legislative Instrument (L.I.) that allows the president to grant licenses for mining in forest reserves, a practice that existing laws forbid.
Investigative platform The Fourth Estate revealed that President Nana Akufo-Addo awarded these licenses to cronies, including the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairperson, known as Chairman Wontumi.
At a United Nations summit in New York, Ghanaians in the U.S. gathered to protest against President Akufo-Addo, demanding the release of the detained protesters and an end to mining activities that are destroying Ghana’s natural resources.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Emmanuel Kumah declared, “We stand in solidarity with our brothers who have been arrested for protesting against illegal mining. These activities are polluting and poisoning our water bodies.
“What we see now is that when people speak out against this pollution, Akufo-Addo uses the police to arrest and intimidate them. As we speak, about 50 of our colleagues remain in detention because the president controls both the judiciary and the police, and the country remains silent.
“We cannot allow this to continue. We urge the international media and the United Nations to hold the president accountable. You cannot imprison protesters and deny them legal representation and medical care.”
