Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, leader and founder of the Movement for Change Alliance, has expressed deep concerns over the handling of recent protests and the subsequent treatment of arrested member of Democracy Hub demonstrators by both the Ghana Police Service and the judiciary.
Speaking at a press conference, Alan Kyerematen described certain actions taken by law enforcement as excessive and a breach of public peace, while also condemning post-arrest procedures as unconstitutional.
The former Trade Minister acknowledged that although some protesters’ actions during the demonstrations may have been excessive, every Ghanaian has a constitutional right to free expression and peaceful assembly.
He emphasized that these rights, enshrined in Ghana’s constitution, should not be infringed upon.
“It is within the constitutional rights of every Ghanaian to express their opinions freely and to assemble in pursuit of their freedom of speech, expression, and movement,” Kyerematen stated.
He criticized the police and the attorney general’s office for bringing charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and unlawful assembly, questioning the rationale behind these charges given the police’s prior knowledge of the protests.
According to Kyerematen, the fact that the demonstrations were allowed to continue for three days under police supervision contradicts the charges of unlawful assembly.
“It is beyond my wildest imagination to believe how the Ghana Police Service could have supervised a demonstration for a continuous period of three days and then label it as unlawful assembly,” he remarked.
While acknowledging the professionalism of the police in managing the protests, Kyerematen expressed disappointment in how the protesters were treated after their arrest.
He described the denial of legal counsel, access to family members, essential medication, food, and water as violations of human rights.
Furthermore, Kyerematen criticized the judiciary for denying bail to the arrested protesters, arguing that their charges, classified as misdemeanors, did not warrant such harsh treatment.
“The refusal of the presiding judges to admit the accused persons to bail in a criminal case of this nature is an abuse of judicial discretion,” he said, citing constitutional law, human rights, and judicial practice to support his claims.
Kyerematen’s remarks come in the wake of growing tension over the protests, which were organized by Democracy Hub to express dissatisfaction with government policies and poor handling of Illegal mining activities across the country which is increasing polluting water bodies.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
