President Nana Akufo-Addo has clarified that the Executive arm of government has no role in the recent arrest and detention of protesters from the Democracy Hub group, attributing the legal action to the protesters’ conduct during the demonstration.
In an interview with France 24, the president, a seasoned politician who has led protests in the past, emphasized that he supports the right of citizens to protest. He made it clear that his administration does not oppose peaceful protests or attempts to suppress the voices of citizens expressing concerns.
“How can I, as someone whose political career was shaped by leading protests, have an issue with people protesting? I have no problem with protests,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
He further explained that no actions have been taken by his government to curtail the right to free speech or prevent Ghanaians from airing their grievances.
“…Nothing is being done in Ghana to prevent people from expressing their views on any issue,” he added.
The president also underscored the independence of the judiciary, asserting that the courts operate without interference from the Executive. He stressed that legal consequences for certain individuals arise not because of their protests, but due to their behavior during those events.
“The courts in Ghana are independent institutions, and they have been since the start of the Fourth Republic. If someone misconducts themselves and is brought before the court, it is for the judiciary to handle, not the Executive.”
“The issue is their behavior, not the act of protesting itself, that brings them into conflict with the police and the courts,” President Akufo-Addo concluded.
SOURCE: https://dew360.net
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