President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has dispelled the assertion that the Executive is behind the arrest and prosecution of persons involved in the anti-galamsey protests that hit the capital between September 21 and 23, 2024.
According to the President, he can never stand the way of protestors since his political career was largely aided by leading demonstrations.
However, he has advised that people who seek to protest should do so within the remit of the law in order not to fall foul to it.
The President was responding to the claims of what many have described as the judicial high-handedness meted out to the Democracy Hub protestors who were arrested, detained, some for over 48 hours, before being remanded by a competent court of jurisdiction for two weeks.
Speaking on France 24 Friday, October 04, 2024, President Akufo-Addo said he is not in charge of jailing people in the country as there are established independent judiciary responsible for that, adding that it is people’s behaviour that get them into trouble with the police and the courts.
“I am not responsible for jailing people in Ghana, The courts in Ghana are independent institutions and they have been so through the Fourth Republic. People misconduct themselves and are brought before the court it is for the court, it is for the court to deal with them, it has nothing to do with the executive, and their behaviour is what landed them in trouble with the Police and the court,” he stated.
“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,” he said in addition.
The recent protest in question was organised to raise awareness of the environmental devastation being caused by illegal mining also known as ‘galamsey’.
The practice has destroyed forest reserves and polluted water bodies which has negatively impacted Ghana’s environment and ecosystem.
Despite admitting the devastating impact of galamsey, Akufo-Addo noted that those protesting must do so within the remit of the law of find solution to the menace.
Speaking on broader regional issues with focus on the political upheavals in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, he expressed disappointment in the military juntas’ decision to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after staging coup d’etats in their countries.
Akufo-Addo said he remained hopeful that diplomacy could eventually pave the way for these countries to rejoin the regional bloc.
Addressing the security situation in the Sahel, Akufo-Addo acknowledged that the region has faced increasing instability since the withdrawal of French troops in 2023.
The exit of French forces, who had been combating extremist groups in the area, has led to a surge in militant activity and worsened the overall security climate.
The president called for greater cooperation among West African nations to tackle the rising threat of extremism, urging ECOWAS to redouble its efforts in restoring peace and stability.
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