Lawyer and social media influencer Ama Governor, known off-screen as Elorm Ababio, has voiced her distress after spending 48 hours in police custody without food or water following her arrest during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest. She and 41 other demonstrators were detained over the weekend during the event organized by Democracy Hub, which sought to address the illegal mining (galamsey) crisis plaguing Ghana.
The protest, initially a peaceful march aimed at drawing attention to the environmental degradation caused by galamsey, escalated into violent confrontations with police at the 37 Intersection in Accra on Sunday, September 22, 2024. The police arrested the protesters, accusing them of blocking traffic, damaging police property, and assaulting officers.
Appearing in court on September 24, 2024, Ama Governor, handcuffed and visibly emotional, described the difficult conditions she and others had endured since their detention. “I want to go; they need to grant us bail. 48 hours, no food, no water,” she told reporters outside the courtroom.
Ama Governor, a 26-year-old lawyer who was recently called to the Ghana Bar in May 2024, has been a prominent voice for social justice and environmental activism. Her arrest, along with the detention of 41 others, has sparked widespread concern among her supporters and civil rights advocates, who argue that their rights have been violated.
The Ghana Police Service, in a statement released by ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, defended the arrests, stating that those involved in the protests would face the full weight of the law for their alleged offenses. The protestors have been accused of obstructing public order and causing damage to police property during the demonstration.
Despite appeals for their release, the court has denied bail to Ama Governor and the other detainees. They are expected to return to court on October 8, 2024, where further legal proceedings will determine their fate.
As the case continues to unfold, the public and legal experts are closely watching how the situation will develop, particularly with growing concerns over the treatment of protestors and the right to peaceful demonstration in Ghana.
