9 Anti-galamsey protestors granted ¢70k bail each with 2 sureties

An Accra High Court, presided by Justice Comfort Tasiame, has granted bail to Ama Governor and eight others involved in recent anti-galamsey protests. The bail is set at GH¢70,000, with each accused required to provide two sureties.

The other accused persons are Emmanuel Gyan, Emmanuel Kwabena Addo, Ziblim Yakubu, Oheneba Prempeh, Philip Owusu Kwabena, Akisibik Desmond, Von Coffie, and Sadik Yakubu. They must report to the Ghana Police Service once a week.

This decision came after a hearing that examined the legal and societal impacts of the protesters’ actions against illegal mining in Ghana. The bail conditions are designed to ensure the accused remain available for future court dates while providing them with temporary relief from custody.

The group was arrested during demonstrations aimed at raising awareness about the detrimental effects of illegal mining, or galamsey, on the environment and local communities. Activists have increasingly raised alarms about the destruction of farmland, water sources, and forests caused by unregulated mining.

The timing of the bail is notable, as public support for initiatives tackling the galamsey crisis and protecting Ghana’s natural resources is growing. During the court proceedings, the defense team underscored that the protests were peaceful and focused on environmental advocacy rather than violence. They emphasized the importance of freedom of expression and the right to peacefully assemble for social justice.

The judge acknowledged the significance of the protesters’ cause while emphasizing the necessity of maintaining law and order during public demonstrations. The case of the Democracy Hub Protesters was prosecuted by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, following reports that some individuals were detained for longer than the legally permissible forty-eight hours before being brought to court.

Legal experts have criticized the state’s treatment of the protesters as excessively harsh, especially considering their demonstration against illegal mining, which poses a serious threat to water bodies and forest reserves.