Akufo-Addo On Democracy Hub Protests: Don’t Blame Me Over Arrests

President Nana Akufo-Addo has said the Executive arm of Government has no hand in the arrest, denial of bail and two-week remand of some 53 persons said to have engaged in acts of lawlessness when they took part in the street protests organized by Democracy Hub against illegal mining.

In response to mounting demands for the release of the 53 detained Democracy Hub protesters, President Akufo-Addo spoke with France24 on Friday, October 4, 2024 and said it was never true the Government he leads suppresses dissenting voices.

President Akufo-Addo, during the interview, affirmed his recognition of peaceful protests as fundamental to good democratic governance.

Akufo-Addo was emphatic that under a democratic governance system he, as the Executive Presient, does not control Ghana’s courts, highlighting the country’s judicial independence since the Fourth Republic.

Akufo-Addo stated, “I am not responsible for jailing people in Ghana. The courts in Ghana are independent institutions, and they have been so throughout the Fourth Republic. When people misconduct themselves and are brought before the court, it is for the court to deal with them. It has nothing to do with the Executive, and their behavior is what landed them in trouble with the Police and the court.

“How can a President whose political career was aided by leading protests have problems with protests? I don’t have problems with protests, and nothing is done in Ghana to prevent people from airing their views.”

The case involving the Democracy Hub protesters is being prosecuted by the Attorney General’s office after the police apprehended and reportedly held some protesters beyond the allowable forty-eight hours before arraignment.

Legal experts have criticized the  detention of the arrested protesters, arguing that since the charges are misdemeanors related to protesting against illegal mining’s environmental impact on water bodies and forests, bail should have been promptly considered.

Critics accuse the state of exploiting legal procedures to punish the demonstrators, who have since filed a lawsuit in response.

Meanwhile, Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame has urged a swift conclusion of investigations into the cases of protesters involved in the Democracy Hub demonstration. He said this would allow for the release of those found innocent.

Addressing judges and magistrates at their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, October 2, Dame acknowledged the protesters’ concerns but stressed that their actions should not violate the rights of others, such as freedom of movement or the safety of police officers.

He called on the Police Service to complete investigations before the next court adjournment to ensure that those without sufficient evidence against them are excluded from further prosecution. He also advised the prosecution to consider the bail applications of the demonstrators during the next court hearing.

Police arrested 53 protesters who took to the streets from September 21–23 at the 37 Military Hospital Roundabout, demonstrating against illegal mining, also known as Galamsey.

Authorities charged them with various offenses, including unlawful assembly, offensive conduct, and assault of a public officer.