27th September 2024 12:15:17 PM
2 mins readGideon Boako, the spokesperson for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has criticized the recent Democracy Hub protest, asserting that destructive actions during demonstrations will not compel authorities to address illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.
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The protests, aimed at highlighting the harmful effects of galamsey and urging immediate government intervention, led to the arrest of several participants. Dr. Boako argued that the protesters' methods undermined their stated objectives and appeared politically motivated, especially with elections approaching.
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In an interview on Peace FM on Friday, September 27, he expressed disappointment over the conduct of the demonstrators. "Demonstrations are part of our culture. Sometimes you can have a one-man demonstration or a two-man demonstration. What the Democracy Hub guys recently organized could have good intentions, but what happened wasn’t right," he said.
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He questioned the tactics employed by the protesters: "If the intention was to get persons in authority to act, is that how to go about it? Destroying people’s properties and having fisticuffs with police? Blocking major roads leading to hospitals like 37 Military Hospital?"
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Dr. Boako further stated, "Their behavior on the day brings into question their whole motive behind the protest. Anyone leading a protest and believing that if any human being dies, it's nothing, means their demonstration was more political than conservationist. So I believe two or three months to the election, there is no genuine demonstration. It is a political protest, not genuine. They used galamsey as a decoy."
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He emphasized that while concerns about illegal mining are valid, resorting to destructive actions is counterproductive. According to Dr. Boako, such behavior detracts from the essential goal of protecting Ghana's natural resources and instead serves to undermine the government's credibility ahead of elections.
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He called for constructive dialogue between the government and citizens to effectively address environmental issues. Dr. Boako acknowledged the government's efforts in combating illegal mining and stressed that protests should not overshadow ongoing initiatives. He urged stakeholders to prioritize cooperation over divisive actions, promoting collaborative approaches to conservation.
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According to a police statement dated September 21, 2024, the demonstrators unlawfully assembled at the 37 Intersection and engaged in activities that caused significant inconvenience to the public. These included blocking the intersection with vehicles, stones, and logs; setting fires; harassing and attacking road users, including military and police officers; damaging property; and obstructing access to major routes like those leading to the 37 Military Hospital.
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The Democracy Hub protests have led to the arrest and remand of 53 demonstrators. The individuals face charges such as conspiracy to commit a crime, unlawful assembly, offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace, and assault on a public officer. Despite pleading not guilty, they have been remanded into custody, prompting concerns from various quarters, including former President John Dramani Mahama, who described the two-week remand as an abuse of their rights.
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