Professor Ransford Gyampo of the University of Ghana has criticised the Ghana Police Service for the way it treated persons who were arrested at the anti-galamsey protest organised by Democracy Hub.
The Professor has attributed the police’s handling of the protesters to a deliberate means by the government to silence people from demonstrating for their rights.
According to him, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, following his appointment, has acted professionally without much blemish, until the government “surreptitiously” appointed a Deputy in charge of Operations.
Prof. Gyampo is suspecting that the treatment meted out to the demonstrators might have come under the directive of the Deputy IGP in charge of operations since the Dampare Ghanaians know wouldn’t lower himself to such levels.
He was speaking about the ongoing illegal mining also known as ‘galamsey’ which is devastating water bodies in the country, asking how government would leave those engaging in the act and rather fight those calling for the illegality to be stopped.
“We brutalized people who were fighting for our own survival, people who were fighting for us. And we did this to them. And we treated them with this kind of judicial high-handedness in a manner that points to an unnecessary abuse of the judicial processes,” he lamented.
“I’m not surprised. You know, we have an IGP that some people felt was being too professional. He was doing his work too well to the point that at one particular point in time, some people felt that, look, we appointed you and we must plot your exit. That didn’t work. So suddenly, surreptitiously, then they appointed another person, deputy IGP, in charge of operations. What were we expecting, or what are we expecting him, or what is he expected to do? To come and teach people who demonstrate lesson. Otherwise, I know that a typical Dampare would not do this,” Prof. Gyampo lamented.
Meanwhile, some 32 persons arrested in connection with the protest have sued the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.
Dr. George Akuffo Dampare and Godfred Yeboah Dame, according to the plaintiffs, have violated their human rights.
Representing the plaintiffs is Francis-Xavier Sosu, the Member of Parliament for Madina, and they are seeking an order from the High Court to enforce their fundamental rights, including freedom of movement, the right to protest, the right to personal liberty, respect for human dignity, and freedom of expression.
The suit also seeks protection against unlawful and arbitrary arrest, detention, malicious prosecution, the right to legal representation, and the right to bail pending trial.
The 32 persons are amongst the 53 who were arrested for embarking on a peaceful demonstration against the government’s lazy approach towards ending illegal mining also known as ‘galamsey’.
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