Ghanaians have been expressing growing discontent towards the recent demonstrations organized by Democracy Hub, labeling them as politically motivated and closely aligned with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
What began as a protest against illegal mining quickly morphed into a chaotic scene, leading many to question the true intent behind the assembly.
The protest, which began on September 21, 2024, aimed to spotlight government inability to tackle the illegal mining menace, but it quickly escalated into disruption and vandalism.
Following a High Court ruling prohibiting the demonstration at Revolutionary Square, protestors gathered at the 37 Roundabout, where confrontations with police ensued. Commuters faced hours of gridlock, while billboards and political campaign materials were defaced, prompting widespread condemnation.
Many observers have noted the strong ties between Democracy Hub and the NDC, suggesting that leading members of the demonstration were once known members of the leading opposition party. “It’s clear that these protests are more about scoring political points for the NDC than addressing real issues,” stated Samuel Adu, a concerned citizen. “Using public demonstrations as a political tool undermines the seriousness of their claims.”
The chaos generated by the protests has drawn ire from everyday Ghanaians, who argue that the actions of the demonstrators have overshadowed the important issues they claim to represent. “We all care about the environment and illegal mining, but this kind of behavior distracts from the real conversation, because you can’t tell me galamsey only started when the NPP came into power” said Abena Kwakye, a commuter affected by the traffic disruption.
“It seems more like a political stunt than a legitimate protest.”
Local businesses also voiced frustration over the negative impact of the demonstrations on their operations, with many reporting losses due to the resulting chaos. “I support the right to protest, but this is not the way to do it. It’s harming our livelihoods,” remarked Kofi Mensah, a shop owner near the protest site.
Source: Daily Mail Gh
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