Dr Gideon Boako, spokesperson for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has expressed skepticism about the motives behind the recent Democracy Hub protests in Accra.
With Ghana’s elections just two months away, Boako believes the timing of the protests raises questions about their authenticity.
The protests, which aimed to address issues such as illegal mining and governance concerns, resulted in the arrest and subsequent remand of 53 protesters.
However, Boako argues that these demonstrations are often politically motivated, designed to sway public opinion rather than genuinely advocate for change.
A Call for Constructive Dialogue
Boako emphasized that the government remains open to dialogue but expressed concern over the potential for protests to disrupt the electoral process.
He pointed out that genuine activism should prioritize constructive engagement with the government to address pressing national issues, rather than resorting to protests that may lack a clear purpose.
The Galamsey Decoy
Boako questioned the intentions behind the demonstrations, urging citizens to critically assess the motivations.
“Anyone leading a protest and believes that if any human being dies is nothing, it means their demonstration was more political than conservationists,” he stated.
He believes that the protests used galamsey as a decoy to undermine the government’s credibility ahead of elections.
The Way Forward
As Ghana approaches a pivotal election period, Dr Boako called on citizens to focus on constructive dialogue.
He highlighted the government’s progress in addressing illegal mining and protecting the country’s resources, asserting that protests should not overshadow these ongoing efforts.
In related news, an Accra Court has remanded 39 Democracy Hub protesters, with 28 suspects sent to police custody and 11 to prison custody
The protests have sparked debate about the balance between environmental activism and political agendas in Ghana.
-BY Daniel Bampoe