Anti-Galamsey Protesters – Ama Governor And Eight Others Granted GH¢70,000 Bail Each With Two Sureties

An Accra High Court, led by Justice Comfort Tasiame, has granted bail to Ama Governor and eight others involved in recent anti-galamsey protests, setting the amount at GH¢70,000 with two sureties required for each defendant. As part of the bail conditions, the accused must report to the police once a week and deposit their Ghana cards at the court registry.

The other individuals granted bail include Emmanuel Gyan, Emmanuel Kwabena Addo, Ziblim Yakubu, Oheneba Prempeh, Philip Owusu Kwabena, Akisibik Desmond, Von Coffie, and Sadik Yakubu.

They are part of a group of 53 people charged with unlawful assembly, unlawful damage, assaulting a police officer and offensive conduct conducive to breaching the peace.

This ruling comes at a pivotal moment, as public support grows for initiatives aimed at addressing the galamsey crisis and protecting Ghana’s natural resources. The protests, which have sparked significant dialogue about environmental protection, were described by the defense team as peaceful and focused on advocating for social justice rather than inciting violence.

During the proceedings, the importance of freedom of expression and the right to assemble peacefully was emphasized, highlighting the protesters’ commitment to a noble cause. The judge acknowledged the significance of their message but also underscored the necessity of maintaining law and order during such demonstrations.

The case against the Democracy Hub Protesters was brought forth by the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice. It has faced criticism from legal experts who deemed the state’s detention of the protesters as excessively harsh, especially since they were fighting against illegal mining, which threatens water bodies and forest reserves. Reports indicated that some individuals were detained for longer than the permissible forty-eight hours before being presented in court.