Former President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to end the prosecution of Democracy Hub protestors if elected in Ghana's upcoming elections. Speaking in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Mahama described the handling of the protestors as heavy-handed and assured that his government would act to stop their prosecution.

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"To be remanded to custody for two weeks because of going on a protest, I think it was high-handed," Mahama stated, adding that he would instruct the Attorney-General to "file a nolle prosequi and stop their prosecution.

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"The September protests, which were organized by Democracy Hub, led to the arrest of 53 demonstrators, including activists Oliver Barker Vormawor, Grace Asantewaa, Felicity Nelson, and Elorm Ama Ababio, popularly known as Ama Governor. The protestors face charges such as conspiracy to commit a crime, unlawful assembly, causing unlawful damage, offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace, and assault on a public officer.

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Despite pleading not guilty, they were remanded by the court.In the same interview, Mahama addressed several other issues, including his proposed 24-hour economy, illegal mining, and Ghana's controversial anti-LGBTQI bill.On the 24-hour economy, Mahama explained that it is a process rather than a one-time event, aimed at transforming Ghana's economic landscape. "You can't put a cost on it immediately.

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A 24-hour economy is not an event; it is a process. And so, even while we are stabilizing the macroeconomic environment and bringing inflation down and interest rates down, we will be implementing the 24-hour economy," he said.

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by BBC News Africa (@bbcafrica)Responding to concerns about continuity after his administration, Mahama emphasized, "Four years, is that the end of Ghana? So after four years, that's it? It would be Ghana's loss if the government that succeeds mine decides no longer to implement the 24-hour economy.

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"Touching on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, Mahama promised a more decisive approach by "stopping mining in forest reserves and, secondly, stopping mining on water bodies."He also addressed Ghana's controversial anti-LGBTQI legislation, formally titled the “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill,” stating that he would review its contents thoroughly before deciding whether to assent to it.

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"It depends on what is in the Bill," he remarked.Meanwhile, the BBC revealed that it had reached out to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer and Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for an interview but was declined. "The BBC has asked for an interview with the other main presidential candidate, Ghana’s current Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, but he has declined," the broadcaster disclosed in an Instagram post.

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The ruling party has yet to comment on Dr. Bawumia’s decision to decline the interview request.

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