As President Nana Akufo-Addo delivered his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, a group of Ghanaians in the U.S. held protests nearby, condemning recent arrests in Accra.
The demonstrators voiced opposition to the detention of Democracy Hub protesters, who were involved in the #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstrations against illegal mining and government mismanagement.
“End galamsey in Ghana, free the protesters,” one protester was heard shouting.
#FreetheCitizens #StopGalamsayNow pic.twitter.com/MmdycGuwVk
— Juls (@commonjuls) September 25, 2024Meanwhile, in Accra, 11 additional protesters were brought to court under tight security. They were charged with conspiracy after being arrested during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest. All pleaded not guilty. Notably, #FixTheCountry convenor, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, was absent due to medical reasons.
The defense team raised concerns in court over the omission of detainee Felicity Nelson from the list of accused individuals, prompting a brief adjournment to allow the State prosecutor to serve the defense.
This marks the second day of court proceedings following the protests, which addressed issues such as illegal mining and economic mismanagement in Ghana.
In his UN speech, President Akufo-Addo reaffirmed Ghana’s dedication to good governance, highlighting the nation’s efforts to promote accountability and safeguard citizens under the rule of law.
“Ghana continues to be a beacon of good governance in Africa, we have enacted laws and implemented policies that uphold the principles of accountability and ensure that every Ghanaian, regardless of their background, is protected by the rule of law,” he said.
