Democracy Hub Demo CDD Ghana Condemns Abuse of Due Process and Detention of Demonstrators

The Centre for Democratic Development has joined the many voices over the world in condemning the action taken by the Police Service over the arrest and detention of over forty citizens who had embarked on demonstrations against the impact of illegal mining in parts of Ghana.

CDD-Ghana argues that the arrest of the protesters was unlawful, adding that it is within their constitutional right to demonstrate especially on issues as relevant as the call to end illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Excerpts of the press release read, “In an official press release on Thursday, September 26, The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) strongly condemns the unlawful tactics employed by the Ghana Police in the recent arrest and detention of some 40 citizens exercising their constitutional right to protest over the weekend.”

“These individuals were demonstrating against crucial national issues, including the rising incidence of state capture, widespread corruption, and the unchecked illegal smallscale mining (galamsey) that is devastating the country’s water bodies. Alarmingly, the police also arrested ordinary bystanders who were merely going about their daily activities.”

CDD explains that taken by the Police service violates the detainees' fundamental human rights thereby undermining the rule of law in Ghana’s constitutional democracy.

“Such misconduct erodes public trust in our legal system and public institutions. In this regard, CDD-Ghana calls for the immediate observance of fair and due process for all detainees and strict adherence to the rule of law,” CDD further highlighted.

CDD further reminds the government of Ghana and all relevant government functionaries that Ghana is a signatory to the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), a covenant that upholds the right to peaceful assembly under Article 21 of the 1992 constitution.  

“This right is echoed in Article 21(1)(d) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which states: “All persons shall have the right to freedom of assembly, including freedom to take part in processions and demonstrations.” The freedom to assemble is not just a fundamental right but is also indispensable for civic development, political awareness, and citizen participation in public affairs.”.Kobina Darlington/