In a recent development, Ama Governor and eight other individuals involved in the Democracy Hub protests have been granted bail, each set at GH₵70,000 with two sureties. This decision comes after an appeal against an earlier ruling by the circuit court, which initially denied bail to the nine accused individuals.
As part of the bail conditions, the accused are required to report to the police once a week and deposit their Ghana cards at the court registry. These conditions aim to ensure their compliance with legal procedures during the ongoing case.
The charges against the group of 53 people, including Ama Governor and the eight others, range from unlawful assembly, unlawful damage, assaulting a public officer, to offensive conduct conducive to breaching the peace. These charges stem from their alleged involvement in disturbances during a protest against illegal mining, known as galamsey.
Despite opposition from the state, the court granted the bail application submitted by the defense lawyers. The other eight individuals granted bail alongside Ama Governor include Emmanuel Gyan, Emmanuel Kwabena Addo, Ziblim Yakubu, Oheneba Prempeh, Philip Owusu Kobina, Desmond Akisbik, Von Coffie, and Sadik Yakubu.
In a related case, an appeal concerning a similar bail denial involving Oliver Barker Vormawor, Felicity Nelson, and 10 others is currently under review.
The release of these individuals follows widespread protests demanding their freedom in both Ghana and the UK. In Ghana, activists staged a three-day protest, advocating for the release of the detained protesters and emphasizing the importance of the right to peaceful assembly. Similarly, supporters gathered outside the Ghana High Commission in the UK to express solidarity with the protesters in Ghana and to call for the immediate release of all individuals arrested during the demonstrations.
These events have drawn attention to the ongoing struggle for democratic rights in Ghana and have sparked discussions around the importance of respecting citizens' voices and rights to peaceful assembly. As the legal proceedings continue, it remains to be seen how this case will impact future demonstrations and the protection of democratic rights in Ghana.
-By Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
