Oliver Barker-Vormawor, along with 12 other members of the Democracy Hub, has been remanded into police custody for two weeks, following their arrest during a recent demonstration. The group is expected to reappear in court on October 8, where they will continue to face multiple charges related to the protests.
Their initial court appearance saw them charged with a range of offenses, including conspiracy to commit unlawful assembly, unlawful assembly, unlawful damage, offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace, assault on a public officer, defacement of public property, and stealing. Barker-Vormawor, a prominent activist and member of the group, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The arrest of Barker-Vormawor and his fellow protesters followed a weekend demonstration organized by Democracy Hub. The group had been protesting against the government’s handling of key issues, including illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, and broader concerns about governance. The demonstration, which initially began peacefully, escalated and led to confrontations between the protesters and police, resulting in multiple arrests.
Barker-Vormawor, a well-known activist and convener of the #FixTheCountry movement, had previously missed a court session due to ill health. His absence raised concerns among his supporters, but he was able to make his appearance in court this week, where he reiterated his not-guilty plea to the charges brought against him and his co-accused.
The charges of unlawful assembly and conspiracy to commit unlawful assembly have been particularly contentious, as the group’s protest was initially intended to be a peaceful demonstration calling for government accountability. The Democracy Hub has been at the forefront of advocating for changes in the government’s approach to illegal mining and broader issues of governance. Their protests have drawn attention to the environmental and social impacts of galamsey, which has had a devastating effect on communities across Ghana.
The Ghana Police Service, however, has defended its actions, stating that the arrests were necessary to maintain public order and protect public property. According to police reports, the demonstrators had defaced public property during the protest, leading to the charges of unlawful damage and defacement. Additionally, some members of the group have been accused of assaulting public officers, although these allegations are being contested by the defendants.
One of the more serious accusations against the protesters is the charge of stealing, which remains under investigation. It is unclear at this time what specific items are alleged to have been stolen during the demonstration, but the charge adds another layer of complexity to the case.
In the days following the arrest, there were reports that Oliver Barker-Vormawor and another member of the group, Fanny Otoo, had been denied medical care while in custody. These reports sparked outrage among supporters of the Democracy Hub, who argued that the treatment of the protesters was unjust and inhumane.
On Wednesday, the Ghana Police Service responded to these allegations, firmly denying that medical care had been withheld. According to a statement from the police, both Barker-Vormawor and Fanny Otoo were admitted to the Police Hospital after they reported feeling unwell. The police emphasized that the protesters were receiving the necessary medical attention and that their health was being monitored.
The police further clarified that there had been no deliberate attempt to deprive Barker-Vormawor or any of the other protesters of their rights while in custody. They maintained that all necessary legal processes were being followed and that the protesters would be treated fairly under the law.
Despite these reassurances, tensions remain high as supporters of the Democracy Hub continue to call for the release of Barker-Vormawor and the other detained protesters. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International Ghana, have expressed concern about the treatment of protesters and the potential implications for freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly in the country.
Amnesty International Ghana has called for an independent investigation into the handling of the Democracy Hub protests and the subsequent arrests. The organization has argued that the excessive use of force by the police and the prolonged detention of protesters raise serious questions about the protection of human rights in Ghana. They have also urged the government to review its laws regarding public demonstrations to ensure that citizens’ rights to protest are upheld in accordance with the 1992 Constitution.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case has drawn widespread attention, both locally and internationally. Supporters of Barker-Vormawor and the Democracy Hub see the case as a critical test of Ghana’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting civil liberties. The outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for future protests and the relationship between the government, law enforcement, and civil society.
For now, Barker-Vormawor and his co-defendants will remain in police custody until their next court appearance on October 8. As the case unfolds, there will be close scrutiny of the legal process and the treatment of the protesters while they are in custody. The Democracy Hub and its supporters remain hopeful that justice will prevail and that their efforts to draw attention to critical issues facing the country will not be in vain.
