The Country Director of Amnesty International Ghana, Genevieve Partington, has called for an independent investigation into the arrests of Democracy Hub protesters following their demonstration against the illegal mining surge in Ghana.

She said even if the police claim the protesters acted unlawfully, they are still entitled to their basic human rights.

Ms Partington also emphasised the necessity of reviewing the Public Order Act of 1994 (Act 491), noting that the act has significant flaws and gives security forces, especially the police, excessive power over potential demonstrations.

• Read also: Scores of people arrested as scuffle ensues between Democracy Hub protesters and police

Speaking at a news conference, Ms Partington said, “Our main requests are that we would like a list of all detained protesters and where they are stationed. We are also appealing that all who were unlawfully arrested be compensated according to the laws of Ghana. Then there needs to be an independent investigation into this matter that needs to be conducted, and actions taken to ensure that such injustice and inhumane treatment of citizens does not happen again.”

Meanwhile, the Center for Democratic Development CDD-Ghana is also taking on the Ghana Police Service over what they say are unlawful tactics employed by the Police in the recent arrest and detention of some 40 citizens in the #StopGalamseyNow demonstration over the weekend.

Senior Programmes Officer at CDD-Ghana Michael Augustus Akagbor expressed growing concern about how the police treat young protesters during demonstrations.

He stated that the Center for Democratic Development's position is that, over the years, Police response to young people's protests is discriminatory.

“I feel like the police go out to engage young protestors with the mindset of teaching them a lesson, and the manhandling shows that they have no regard for the rights of these citizens, of these young people who are just exercising their civil and political rights.”