President Nana Akufo-Addo has dismissed allegations that the recent arrest and detention of 53 protesters was an effort to suppress dissent in the country.

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Speaking in an interview with France 24 on Friday, October 4, he emphasised his support for peaceful protests as a legitimate form of democratic expression.

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This statement follows the arrest of 53 individuals who were demonstrating against illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.

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“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.

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“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.”

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The recent protest aimed to spotlight the environmental destruction caused by galamsey, an illegal mining practice that has devastated Ghana’s rivers and forests.

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While President Nana Akufo-Addo acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, he reiterated the importance of peaceful, lawful demonstrations, encouraging protesters to collaborate with authorities to develop lasting solutions.

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Shifting his focus to regional matters, Akufo-Addo expressed disappointment with the decisions of military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to exit the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following their coups.

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Despite this, he remains hopeful that diplomatic efforts will eventually lead to their reintegration into the regional bloc.

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Discussing the broader security challenges in the Sahel, Akufo-Addo noted the worsening instability since French troops withdrew in 2023.

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The exit of these forces, previously engaged in the fight against extremist groups, has sparked a rise in militant activity.

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The president urged West African nations to strengthen their cooperation to address the growing extremism in the region, calling on ECOWAS to intensify its peacebuilding efforts.

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