At a press conference held at the Ghana International Press Centre in Accra on Sunday, 29th September 2024, Alan Kyerematen, Presidential Candidate of the Afrafranto Alliance, took a bold stance against the ongoing detention of young protesters who participated in the Democracy Hub demonstrations.

The protests, which aimed to spotlight the government’s failure to tackle illegal mining (Galamsey), led to the arrest and detention of 53 young Ghanaians. Mr Kyerematen condemned the authorities for what he called “unlawful and unconstitutional” treatment of the protesters.

According to Alan Kyerematen, the youth, who were exercising their constitutional rights to protest, have been unfairly charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and unlawful assembly.

He expressed his dismay at the Ghana Police Service’s handling of the situation, questioning how the police could supervise a three-day demonstration only to turn around and bring charges of unlawful assembly. “It is beyond my wildest imagination how this happened,” Mr Kyerematen stated emphatically.

The Afrafranto leader further criticized the police for their post-arrest treatment of the detained protesters, who had reportedly been denied access to legal counsel, medical care, food, and water in the early moments of their arrest. He lamented the unprofessional and unlawful conduct of the police in managing the detained protesters, calling it an abuse of power that undermines the constitutional rights of all Ghanaians.

Mr Kyerematen’s scathing remarks also extended to the judiciary. He questioned the refusal of judges to grant bail to the detained youth, stating that the charges against them are misdemeanours and do not warrant prolonged detention. He described the judiciary’s decision as an “abuse of judicial discretion,” calling for a swift review of the bail refusal to prevent further injustice.

In his speech, Alan Kyerematen noted the troubling trend of intolerance towards dissenting views under the current NPP government. He warned that the growing culture of fear and sycophancy, particularly in the lead-up to the December elections, is an ominous sign for Ghana’s democracy.

“Let it not be said that our generation stood by unconcerned as the dark clouds of chaos and anarchy began to gather in our beloved country,” he cautioned.

The Afrafranto candidate’s address was as much a condemnation of the broader political climate as it was a defence of the youth. He slammed both the NPP and NDC for their failure to curb illegal mining and the environmental destruction it has caused, further fueling public discontent. He described the protest as a symptom of deeper systemic failures, particularly the government’s inability to provide jobs and hope for the future.

As the youth languish in custody, Alan Kyerematen emphasized that the responsibility to correct this injustice lies with the Attorney General. He appealed to the Attorney General, Godfred Dame, to apply for Nolle Prosequi to discontinue the case, stressing that the future of Ghana’s democracy hinges on fair treatment of its young people.

In a powerful message to the youth, Mr Kyerematen expressed solidarity, lauding them as the “heroes of our time.” He reassured them that their sacrifices would not be in vain, pledging to fight alongside them to restore their rights and end the Galamsey menace. “Do not be dismayed; there is light at the end of the tunnel,” he encouraged them.

The Afrafranto Alliance leader concluded his speech with a firm commitment to seeing justice done. “Together, we will win, and Ghana will rise again,” he declared, his words resonating with the hope of a brighter future for the youth of Ghana.

After the press conference, Alan Kyerematen visited the detained protesters at the Legon Police Station to commiserate with them. He expressed solidarity with their cause and reassured them that their voices would not go unheard.

Mr Kyerematen condemned their continued detention and pledged to advocate for their immediate release, emphasizing his commitment to upholding their constitutional rights.

He also revealed that his law firm had already sent a team of lawyers to defend the arrested protesters, ensuring that they receive the legal representation they deserve.