Vice Presidential Candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has expressed concern over reports of excessive police force used against Democracy Hub protesters.
According to a statement issued by her spokesperson, Mr. James Agyenim-Boateng, on Thursday, September 26, 2024, the three-day demonstration reported accounts of human rights abuse, such include, manhandling, starvation, denial of legal counsel and the remanding of several protesters, including a pregnant woman.
She pointed out that, while citizens advocating for environmental protection are being met with suppression, individuals responsible for the harmful practice appear to be enjoying impunity.
”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.”
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang criticized the authorities, stating that, their focus should rather be on the fight against illegal mining and its devastating effects on Ghana’s environment and livelihoods.
She also called on the government to respect citizens’ rights to protest, urging for the immediate release of those in custody. She demanded an end to what she termed “feudal, authoritarian” reactions in a democratic society.
”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.”
The NDC’s Vice Presidential Candidate further emphasised the party’s stance on tackling illegal mining responsibly.
She stated that professional training and guidance provided by experienced mining engineers would mitigate its harmful environmental impact.
Find the statement below
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Story by: Joycelyn Glory | univers.ug.edu.gh
