Flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Mahama has described the remand of some members of pressure group, Democracy Hub protestors as shocking.
For him the level of high-handedness, to citizens who were simply drawing attention to the urgent need to end the galamsey menace which has become a direct threat to the lives of millions, following the wanton destruction and pollution of water bodies and forests, is most unfortunate.
In a brief statement on his facebook page on Thursday, September 26,2024, the former President called on the law enforcement agencies and government to strike a balance between enforcing the law and maintaining the right of Ghanaians.
“the decision of the court and the handling of the matter by the police is a complete infringement on their fundamental human rights” – he emphasized
His post continued,”We must balance our need to maintain law and order with protecting the rights and freedoms of our citizens”
He further indicated that “remanding Democracy Hub demonstrators for 2 weeks is high-handed and an abuse of their rights”.
Background
More than forty (40) protesters were arrested, and thirty-nine (39) of them were later remanded into police custody for two days. Eleven more protesters were remanded on Wednesday, September 25.
This was after the Ghana Police accused them of blocking roads, dismantling police barriers, and obstructing traffic during their demonstration around the 37 Military Hospital.
