The NDC spokesperson for Youth Development Mr. Julius Kwame Anthony, has slammed the actions of the Ghana Police Service during the Democracy Hub protests.
He condemned the police’s handling of the protesters, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice. He also highlighted the National Democratic Congress NDC’s concern about the involvement of vulnerable groups in the arrests.
Julius Kwame Anthony began by stressing that the NDC had condemned the actions of the Ghana Police Service during the protests. The police were accused of using excessive force, which, according to Mr. Anthony, violated the rights of the demonstrators. He expressed dismay at the lack of accountability, particularly from the government and the presidency.
“The party has not yet indicated the next steps that it’s going to take in response to these actions. But our position is quite clear, we are demanding that the attorney general exercises his authority under section 54 of the Criminal Offences Act.”
Mr. Julius Kwame Anthony NDC spokesperson for Youth Development
He also criticized the President’s silence on the matter, stating that “the presidency has not taken any position whatsoever on the conduct of the police officers.”
Demand for the Attorney General’s Intervention
A significant portion of Mr. Anthony’s remarks was directed at the Attorney General’s office, calling for an immediate withdrawal of the charges against the protesters. He argued that the charges were baseless and referred to them as “frivolous,” emphasizing that the Attorney General had the authority to end the prosecution of these demonstrators.
“The attorney general is the one supervising this prosecution. It wouldn’t have happened without his authorization because there was a senior state attorney who was prosecuting the people. We are demanding that they exercise that authority.”
Mr. Julius Kwame Anthony NDC spokesperson for Youth Development
He also placed responsibility on the acting president, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to ensure that justice was served while President Akufo-Addo was away at the UN General Assembly. “Vice President Bawumia is the acting president of Ghana. He has the full executive authority of the powers of government.”
The President’s Silence and the Galamsey Scandal
Mr. Anthony criticized President Akufo-Addo’s lack of public commentary on the matter, particularly given his presence at the UN General Assembly in New York.
“I don’t know what the president is going to be telling the world while back at home police officers under his watch are brutalizing innocent Ghanaians, and what are they protesting about? They are protesting about a conquer that is destroying this country.”
Mr. Julius Kwame Anthony NDC spokesperson for Youth Development
Mr. Anthony also linked the protest to the government’s failure to address the illegal mining (galamsey) issue. He highlighted that several government officials were implicated in galamsey activities, which continue to devastate the environment and pose health risks to Ghanaians. He cited reports of water contamination and other negative consequences of illegal mining. “The Ghana Water Company today is unable to supply water at its full capacity because of Galamsey… it’s causing barrenness, it’s causing deformities of children.’’
Mr. Anthony expressed frustration with the judiciary, particularly regarding the court’s refusal to grant bail to protesters. He argued that the charge of unlawful assembly, which was used to detain many of the protesters, was a misdemeanor and should not have warranted such harsh judicial actions. He questioned; “On what basis is any court refusing to grant bail to people because they are being charged with unlawful assembly?”
He emphasized that the justice system seemed to be treating demonstrators like criminals while ignoring the real culprits involved in the destruction of the country.
NDC’s Next Steps and Warnings to the Police
When asked about the NDC’s future course of action, Mr. Anthony was clear that the ball was in the court of the government and its agencies. He reiterated the party’s demand for the Attorney General to intervene. However, he warned that if the authorities failed to act, the NDC would determine the next steps. Mr. Anthony also warned the Ghana Police Service that they would be held accountable for any excesses committed during the protests, particularly those targeting vulnerable groups. He emphasized that the police must act within the law and avoid serving as tools for political suppression. He emphasized; “If police officers exceed the bounds of their authority… they will be prosecuted if they exit those bounds. That one, it should be clear to everybody.”
Mr. Anthony concerned is about the arrest of minors, the elderly, and a pregnant woman during the protests. He condemned the police for targeting such vulnerable groups, describing the situation as a serious violation of human rights. He reiterated; “If you allow yourself to serve as an appendix of the governing party to be used to suppress dissenting voices, you should know that there should be consequences for that.”
He added that videos of police brutality were already circulating and demonstrating the excessive force used. Julius Kwame Anthony’s position reflected the NDC’s strong opposition to the actions of the Ghana Police Service and the broader failure of the government to protect the rights of its citizens. He called for immediate accountability from the Attorney General and the acting president, Vice President Bawumia while warning the police that their actions would not go unpunished if found to be unlawful. His statements reflect a growing frustration with the handling of dissent in the country, with the NDC ready to pursue further action if necessary.
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