Draconian Judicial Decisions Such As This Wont Stop Ghanaians From Speaking Mahama Condemns Remand Of Protesters

Former President and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has described the two-week remand of the Democracy Hub protesters as 'high-handed'.

Thirty-nine (39) participants from the Democracy Hub protests have been remanded into custody by an Accra Circuit Court. They face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit a crime (specifically unlawful assembly), unlawful assembly, causing unlawful damage, offensive conduct conducive to a breach of peace, assault on a public officer, and defacement of public property. The case has been adjourned until October 8, 2024.

Reacting to this in a tweet on X, Mahama said the "Draconian judicial decisions such as this" won’t stop Ghanaians from speaking out.

Mahama's tweet read:

“High-handedness! We must balance our need to sustain law and order with protecting the rights and freedoms of our citizens. Remanding Democracy Hub demonstrators for two weeks is high-handed and an abuse of their rights. The youth of Ghana have a right to engage in manifestations to protect their future, especially on key issues like the destruction of the environment through illegal mining. Draconian judicial decisions such as this won’t stop them from speaking out. The authorities must request the judge to review the remand decision and grant them bail immediately.”

High-handedness!
We must balance our need to sustain law and order with protecting the rights and freedoms of our citizens.

Remanding Democracy Hub demonstrators for 2 weeks is high-handed and an abuse of their rights.

The youth of Ghana have a right to engage inhellip;mdash; John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) September 26, 2024Rebecca Addo Tetteh/