Anti-galamsey protests: Check and report on both sides - Information Minister to CNN reporter

Following the anti-illegal mining protests in Accra, which has led to the arrest, charging and subsequent remand of 39 people, the Minister of Information, Fatima Abubakar has urged the media to be circumspect in the reportage. 

Her comment, posted on social media was in response to a report by CNN correspondent, Larry Madowo.

Madowo, based in Kenya, had reported on social media on Wednesday that, peaceful protesters against illegal mining commonly referred to as “Galamsey” in Ghana were being mistreated by authorities. 

“Ghana’s president is speaking here in New York this morning at the UN General Assembly while back at home, there’s outrage over the continuous detention of peaceful protesters against illegal mining. Some of them have been denied bail, have been denied access to medical care and people are raising their voices about the human rights violations by the Ghana Police Service and also by what they see as the court's attempt to deny them their constitutionally guaranteed rights,” Mr Madowo said in his video.

Reacting, the Minister of Information in Ghana, Fatima Abubakar refuted the claims by Larry Madowo and asked him to do due diligence and report on both sides of a story when making publications that impacts a country's image.

“Ghana has always supported citizens rights to demonstrate peacefully. However, acts of vandalism, attacks on police and disruptions to public order will always be contained by the Police in any jurisdiction,” parts of the post read. 

Ms Abubakar further stressed that Ghana's courts were also matured enough to examine evidence against accused persons and make appropriate decisions.

See post below;

Dear @LarryMadowo

Please do well to check and report on both sides of a story when making publications that impact a country’s image.

Ghana has always supported citizens’ right to demonstrate peacefully. However, acts of vandalism, attacks on police and disruptions to public… https://t.co/PqHwQWfomS

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— Fatimatu Abubakar (@Fatimatu_A) September 26, 2024

Background

For three days, from Saturday, September 21, 2024 to Monday, September 23, 2024, a pressure group known as the Democracy Hub led a demonstration in Accra against the government to raise concerns about the impact of illegal mining by som individuals [galamsey] on Ghana’s river bodies, forest reserves and wider ecosystem. 

They accused the government of not doing enough to stop the illegal activity which was threatening water bodies and forests.

It was also in part to protest against the nation’s current economic woes. 

Thirty-nine protesters were arrested by the police for alleged unlawful acts during the weekend's demonstrations.

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• NDC condemns arrest and remand of Democracy Hub protesters, calls for immediate release
• Cheddar: Nana Kwame Bediako on why he doesn't support protests
• Presidential candidate Nana Kwame Bediako alleges political parties behind recent protests