“StopGalamseyNow” protest: Ghana court remands Convenor

The convenor of the ‘StopGalamseyNow’ protest, Mr. Oliver Mawuse Barker Vormawor has been remanded in a prison in Accra, the capital city of Ghana.

Mr. Barker Mawuse was remanded alongside 11 other protesters until October 8, 2024.

This brings the total number of remanded protesters to 52, sparking widespread public outcry.

Heavy police presence filled the Accra Circuit Court as the accused, all in handcuffs, made their appearance.

Barker Vormawor, meanwhile, was still recovering after collapsing in police custody earlier in the week.

He was escorted by officers from the police hospital directly to the courtroom.

The Defence lawyers argued that the protesters have suffered inhumane treatment, including denial of food, water, and basic hygiene during their initial detention.

‘Harsh treatment’ against protesters

Despite their bail plea, the judge, Kwabena Obiri Yeboah, ruled to keep the group in custody, with a court date set for October 8.

“Why do you think the supreme court did the non-bailable decision? It’s because of this same kind of abuse.

“I’m telling you that what I witnessed in court… there was no need for a remand,” Martin Kpebu, a private legal practitioner said.

In the meantime, the decision to remand 52 StopGalamseyNow protesters has drawn strong public condemnation.

“Assuming that, yes indeed, they perpetrated the crime, I don’t think it’s that grievous to demand such treatment,” Adib Sani, a security analyst explained.

Meanwhile, a human rights lawyer, Francis Xavier Sosu, is preparing to file lawsuits against the Ghana Police Service and the state, in both Ghana and the ECOWAS Court over the matter.

“If the water bodies are destroyed, we are all destroyed.

“And so, it shouldn’t be one person’s fight and that is why even as a lawyer, I rallied all my legal team.

“We are acting for and on behalf of everybody that has issue in this matter.

“And we are going to ensure that we continue until we seek for justice for every individual,” Sosu said.

Psychologists have also raised concerns over the psychological toll of the arrests and detentions of StopGalamseyNow protesters.

The defence lawyers have expressed their intention and readiness to appeal the Circuit Court’s decision in the High Court.

About “StopGalamseyNow” protest

The “StopGalamseyNow” protest is a movement in Ghana that aims to put pressure on the government to stop illegal mining practices, particularly in forest reserves and along key rivers.

The protest was led by the Democracy Hub and took place from September 21 to 23, 2024.

Unfortunately, the peaceful protest turned sour when 51 protesters were arrested and denied access to legal representation.

The StopGalamseyNow protesters were demanding a presidential order to stop all illegal mining activities.

These, they said, have negative impacts on the environment, including polluting major rivers like Pra, Ankobra, and Birim.

The situation escalated when protesters burned down flags of the ruling New Patriotic Party, leading to clashes with the police.

Following the arrests, Amnesty International Ghana condemned the unlawful actions of the Ghana Police Service.

The international watchdog demanded the release of the detained StopGalamseyNow protesters.

The organization also called for an independent investigation into the matter and compensation for those unlawfully arrested.

Currently, there’s another 3-day protest underway, from October 3 to 5, 2024, organized by the #FreeTheCitizens movement.

The movement is demanding the release of the arrested protesters and an end to illegal mining activities.

The protest route includes a stop at the National Service Secretariat in Accra.

Others are the Electoral Commission of Ghana and the Parliament of Ghana, where a petition will be submitted.

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