The former Minister for Gender Children And Social Protection, Honourable Rachel Appoh has lashed out at the police for refusing the medication of one of the suspects arrested in connection with the Democracy Hub anti-galamsey protest over the weekend in Accra.
She stated that the action by the police under the watch of president Akuffo-Addo is condemnable and a slap on the face of the fundamental Human Rights of the suspect.
In the view of Honourable Rachel Appoh, the arrest which has gained traction on social media is a further dent on Ghana’s enviable record as a beacon of democracy.
The former Gomoa Central Legislator said “this is very unfortunate and we all need to condemn it: from my checks this suspect is asthmatic to the extent that the family wanted to give this woman her medication and inhaler and the Police rejected this until she had an attack before the family was called to bring the medication….”.
The former Gender Children And Social Protection Minister stated that the action was unfortunate and barbaric which must not be condoned by anybody.
Honourable Rachel Appoh’s comments follows the arrest and subsequent arraignment Oliver Barker-Vormawor and 12 other protesters remanded in police custody for 2 weeks.
This follows their involvement in the recent three-day #StopGalamseyNow and #ReoccupyJulorbiHouse demonstrations organised by Democracy Hub.
This brings the total number of protesters remanded by the court to 51.
But the former Gomoa Central Member of Parliament believes the charges preferred against the accused persons as well as the failure by the trial judge to grant them bail is unfortunate.
Describing the charge “offensive conduct to breach of peace “as laughable, she said the New Patriotic Party government is more guilty of the offense than the accused persons.
She indicated that the Nana Akuffo-Addo-Bawumia-led government should rather be charged and prosecuted for breaching the peace of Ghanaians in the face of the ever-rising cost of living, the constant depreciation of the cedi against the dollar and the unparalleled record of corruption among others.
Honourable Appoh further stated that Ghanaian citizens are reeling under harsh economic situation and that families are having a hectic time making ends meet.
“This is the very worst government in the history of Ghana, no matter what they do, this is not right, they are violating our freedom of speech, I condemn this act by the police and the judge refusing them bail”.
The former Gomoa Central Member of Parliament said the NPP have insulted and vilified former President John Dramani Mahama and yet they have not been prosecuted for verbal assault.
She tasked Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh to break his long silence on the effects of galamsey on the health of Ghanaians.