Dr. Gideon Boako, the spokesperson for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has voiced doubts regarding the intentions behind the recent protests organized by Democracy Hub in Accra.
With the elections in Ghana approaching in two months, Boako questions the authenticity of the protests given their timing. These demonstrations, which sought to highlight issues such as illegal mining and governance challenges, led to the arrest and remand of 53 individuals participating in the protests.
Nevertheless, Boako contends that such demonstrations are frequently driven by political agendas, aimed more at influencing public sentiment than at fostering genuine change.
He reiterated that the government is receptive to dialogue but expressed apprehension about the possibility of protests interfering with the electoral process.
Boako underscored that authentic activism should focus on constructive engagement with the government to tackle urgent national concerns, rather than engaging in protests that may lack a definitive objective.
Boako raised concerns regarding the underlying motives of the demonstrations, encouraging citizens to evaluate the intentions critically.
Anyone leading a protest and believes that if any human being dies is nothing, it means their demonstration was more political than conservationists.
He contends that the protests have utilized galamsey as a diversion to weaken the government’s credibility in the lead-up to the elections. As Ghana nears a crucial electoral period, Dr. Boako urged citizens to engage in constructive dialogue.
He emphasized the government’s advancements in combating illegal mining and safeguarding the nation’s resources, asserting that these ongoing initiatives should not be eclipsed by the protests.
In related developments, an Accra Court has ordered the remand of 39 protesters from Democracy Hub, with 28 individuals placed in police custody and 11 in prison custody.
The protests have ignited discussions regarding the interplay between environmental activism and political motives in Ghana.
