The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has urged the Akufo-Addo government, the judiciary, and the Ghana Police Service to release the remanded protesters of the Democracy Hub group.

His call comes in response to the detention of 54 protesters, with 9 in prison custody and the remainder held by the police, following clashes with security forces during a recent demonstration in Accra.

Initially peaceful, the protest turned violent between September 21 and 23, as demonstrators blocked roads, dismantled police barriers, obstructed traffic, and burned properties at the 37 Roundabout. While commending the police for their professionalism during the protest, Dwumfour expressed concern over the excessive measures taken afterward.

“I want to commend the Ghana Police Service for exhibiting a high level of professionalism and restraint during the recent three-day protest against Galamsey by some individuals. We note some excesses and provocations that occurred during the demonstration, and the GJA condemns these excesses,” Dwumfour said at the 28th GJA Media Awards on September 28.

However, Dwumfour criticized the decision to remand the protesters for two weeks, calling it “too extreme” and warning that it undermines Ghana's commitment to human rights.

“We also believe that remanding the protesters for two weeks is too extreme and does not send positive signals when it comes to protecting human rights," he added.

The GJA President called for a balanced approach that upholds the law while respecting citizens' rights. “As a result, we add our voice to calls on the government, police, and the judiciary to take steps to release the protesters immediately,” Dwumfour urged.

Background

The Democracy Hub group organized a protest that escalated into violence between September 21 and 23, resulting in confrontations with the police. Protesters were accused of blocking roads, dismantling police barriers, and burning properties at Accra’s 37 Roundabout.

Fifty-four protesters are currently detained, with 9 in prison and the rest in police custody. The prosecution has rejected allegations of mistreatment, insisting that the protesters are receiving proper care, including meals from the popular local restaurant, Papaye, sparking outrage from defense lawyers. The prosecution also opposed bail, citing concerns about the unknown addresses of some protesters.

The judge denied bail and remanded the protesters until October 8, leading to protests from the detained individuals, who expressed their dissatisfaction by singing patriotic songs in court.

This has prompted concerns from various groups, including former President John Dramani Mahama, who described the two-week remand as an abuse of their rights.

An Associate Professor at the School of Law, University of Ghana, Professor Kwadwo Appiagyei-Tuah has mentioned key issues such as the reasons for the arrests, the transfer of protesters between prisons without notifying their families or lawyers, and the fact that some were brought to court without any formal charges, saying that these are critical human rights issues that touch on the dignity of the individual.

This, he questioned the nature of the offense that would warrant the denial of bail to the arrested protesters.