Media practitioner with Accra-based Onua TV, Captain Smart, has expressed disappointment in the Ghana Police Service, particularly the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare following the recent arrest and detention of 53 protesters from the #StopGalamseyNow demonstration.

According to him, the arrests were unjustified, as the real culprits responsible for illegal mining and the pollution of water bodies are still operating in forest reserves.

Speaking during the three-day #FreeTheCitizens and #StopGalamseyNow demonstration on Thursday, October 3, Captain Smart criticised the police for arresting peaceful protesters while failing to act against those engaged in galamsey (illegal mining).

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He stated, "I'm disappointed in the Ghana Police Service, and I’m disappointed in the IGP. Those who are doing galamsey are in the forests, polluting our water bodies, yet the Ghana Police Service claims they are unaware of these illegal activities."

He questioned the police's inaction, saying, "The Ghana Police Service wants to tell us they don’t know illegal mining is happening at Ankobra or River Pra? The police can arrest demonstrators in Accra, but they can't go to Ankobra to stop galamsey?"

Captain Smart stressed that the actions of the police are misplaced, as those responsible for the destruction of the environment are still operating in the forests.

He further stated that it is a well-known offence to destroy the country's water bodies and questioned whether senior police officers in the police service are unaware of the polluted rivers like the Ankobra and Pra.

"When commanders travel from the Ashanti Region, don’t they see River Pra? As we speak, there is not a single river in the Eastern, Ashanti, Central, Western, or Brong Ahafo regions that is fit for use," he lamented.