Alan Kyerematen, the presidential candidate for the Alliance for Revolutionary Change, has taken a strong stance against the ongoing detention of young protesters involved in the Democracy Hub demonstrations.
Speaking at a press conference at the Ghana International Press Centre on Sunday, September 29, 2024, Kyerematen criticized the government’s handling of the protests, which focused on its failure to address illegal mining, or galamsey.
He condemned the arrests of the protesters, describing their detention as “unlawful and unconstitutional.”
Kyerematen argued that the youth, exercising their constitutional rights, were wrongfully charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and unlawful assembly.
He expressed shock at the Ghana Police Service’s contradictory actions, noting that they supervised the three-day protest, only to later charge participants with unlawful assembly.
Kyerematen further criticized the post-arrest treatment of the protesters, who were allegedly denied access to legal counsel, medical care, food, and water.
He described the police’s actions as an abuse of power, undermining the constitutional rights of Ghanaians. He also condemned the judiciary for refusing bail to the protesters, arguing that the charges against them are misdemeanors that do not justify prolonged detention.
The Afrafranto leader warned against the growing culture of intolerance and fear under the current NPP government, particularly as the December elections approach.
He called the protest a symptom of deeper systemic failures, such as the government’s inability to tackle illegal mining and provide jobs for the youth.
Kyerematen urged Attorney General Godfred Dame to file for Nolle Prosequi to discontinue the case, stressing the importance of fair treatment for the youth.
He expressed solidarity with the protesters, calling them the “heroes of our time” and pledging to fight alongside them to restore their rights and end the galamsey crisis.
Kyerematen concluded his speech with a message of hope, promising that “together, we will win, and Ghana will rise again.”
