The Deputy Attorney General, Alfred Tuah Yeboah, has refuted claims that protesters arrested during the Democracy Hub demonstration were denied access to their lawyers.

He dismissed these allegations, emphasizing the government's commitment to upholding the rights of the demonstrators throughout the legal process.

The protesters, who participated in an anti-galamsey protest from September 21 to 23, accused the police of restricting their access to legal counsel and family members before their court appearance.

This led to widespread criticism, with various groups demanding a thorough investigation into the treatment of the arrested individuals.

Former President John Dramani Mahama had been vocal in his criticism of the Ghana Police Service, condemning their actions as “high-handed” and calling for the immediate release of the detained protesters.

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) also joined the outcry, labelling the treatment of the protesters as unnecessarily harsh and draconian.

Despite the growing criticism, Deputy Attorney General Tuah Yeboah insisted that there is no evidence to support the claims of denial of access to legal representation.

He reiterated that the rights of all arrested individuals were respected and that all legal procedures were followed before the court hearing on September 24.

In an interview with Channel One TV on Saturday, September 28, Tuah Yeboah made it clear that if any protester was genuinely denied access to a lawyer, his office would thoroughly investigate the matter. He assured the public that the legal system remains committed to ensuring justice and fairness.

The Deputy Attorney General’s stance comes amidst heightened tensions over the protests, with activists and opposition figures continuing to demand better treatment for those advocating against illegal mining activities in the country.

“The right to a lawyer for an accused person is a fundamental right. And so anyone who is restricted, impugned or arrested has the right under the constitution to a lawyer of his/her choice. That right of access is something that cannot be traded."

“So, as I speak, we have no evidence to that effect, but if it did happen, definitely, it’s something that we will look into. Because it’s the fundamental right of every person arrested to have a lawyer of his/her choice and be given that access to consult his/her lawyer.”