Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, has expressed strong disapproval of the treatment of the arrested Democracy Hub protesters by both the courts and the Ghana Police Service, calling it “disgusting and disgraceful.”
He criticized the authorities for their handling of the situation, highlighting how the actions of the police and judicial system undermine democratic principles and the right to peaceful protest.
Cudjoe emphasized that such harsh treatment not only violates the rights of the protesters but also sends a troubling message about the state of civil liberties in Ghana.
He urged the authorities to uphold the rule of law and respect the rights of citizens to peacefully express dissent without fear of persecution or intimidation.
“Please IGP Dampare as a friend, l know the values you stand for- pandering to political high-handedness is not one of them. Yes, by all means, charge them for crimes you believe have been committed…”
Franklin Cudjoe
Franklin Cudjoe further called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Ghana Police Service to refrain from treating the arrested protesters as though they were insurrectionists or terrorists attempting to overthrow the Constitution.
He emphasized that these individuals were exercising their democratic right to protest and should not be subjected to such harsh and excessive measures.
Cudjoe stressed that labeling peaceful demonstrators as a threat to national security is not only an overreaction but also a dangerous precedent that could stifle free expression and discourage public participation in democratic processes.
He described the actions of both the police and the courts as deeply troubling and “depressing,” expressing concern about the long-term implications for civil rights and justice in Ghana.
Franklin Cudjoe urged the authorities to show restraint and ensure that the treatment of the protesters is consistent with the principles of democracy and the rule of law.
Extended Detention Of Democracy Hub Protesters Slammed
Moreover, Franklin Cudjoe condemned the decision to detain the Democracy Hub protesters for an extended period beyond the constitutionally mandated 48 hours, stretching to 14 days, without granting them access to legal counsel.
He described this move as “inhumane and shameful,” pointing out that such draconian measures are typically found in authoritarian regimes, such as Gestapo-like states or communist societies, where civil liberties and human rights are routinely suppressed.
He argued that the denial of access to lawyers, which is essential for safeguarding justice and ensuring due process, is a clear abuse of power.
According to Cudjoe, such extreme measures not only reflect poorly on the Ghana Police Service and the judicial system but also risk undermining public trust in state institutions and the democratic framework itself.
“Please the real matter that got us here is the mass ecological homicide superintendent by the careless political figureheads in high office. In the mean time please discontinue the detention of the arrested protestors and hand them over to their lawyers”.
Franklin Cudjoe
Franklin Cudjoe emphasized that the Ghana Police Service should redirect its focus from peaceful protesters to tackling the real threats to the nation’s well-being, such as the known kingpins of illegal mining (galamsey) and their powerful backers within the government.
He argued that the energy and resources currently being used to suppress lawful demonstrators would be better spent addressing the environmental and economic devastation caused by galamsey, a crisis that continues to undermine Ghana’s natural resources and the health of its citizens.
Cudjoe pointedly referenced the explosive revelations made by Professor Frimpong Boateng, the former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, whose report exposed a network of influential figures allegedly involved in or benefiting from galamsey operations.
Cudjoe suggested that the police should be using this “open book” as a guide, beginning investigations and prosecutions with the individuals named in the report.
He stressed that these high-profile figures, including their political allies and patrons, are the real culprits behind the illegal mining activities that are destroying Ghana’s forests, rivers, and farmlands.
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