Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah Wins in Court, Judge Strikes Out Police Challenge to His Anti-Galamsey Demo

• The motion filed by the Ghana Police Service to halt the planned protest against illegal mining has been struck out
• The Attorney-General ordered the withdrawal of the motion which was before the Accra High Court
• Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem-Sai assured that the Mahama administration will never stifle protests

An Accra High Court has struck out a motion filed by the Ghana Police Service that sought to halt the planned protest against illegal mining, part-led by broadcaster Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah.

The court's decision follows the withdrawal of the motion on the orders of the Attorney-General.

This latest decision by the court paves the way for the anti-galamsey protest, which is expected to come off on April 28 this year.

Okatakyie Afrifa felt the initial motion to prohibit the protest was a move borne out of bad faith.

The protest is expected to start from Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah circle in Accra, through the Ring Road, and then conclude at the Liberation Square opposite the Jubilee House.

It is expected to commence at 4 pm on April 28, through to midnight on April 29.

Attorney-General's office's explanation for decision

Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem-Sai explained that after two meetings with the security and intelligence agencies, the Attorney-General directed that the application for an injunction to restrain the anti-galamsey demonstrators be withdrawn.

He stressed that the demonstration will be allowed to go on exactly as the demonstrators have proposed.

"The right to demonstrate is protected by the Constitution. President John Mahama understands the true meaning of that right."

The Akufo-Addo administration notably cracked down on non-partisan protests, notably the ones by the Democracy Hub.

Over 100 people were arrested across two protests in 2023 and 2024.

The new Attorney-General discontinued the cases against the Democracy Hub protesters arrested after picketing against illegal mining under the Akufo-Addo administration.

Praise from activists after court decision

Activists have welcomed the decision of the government not to contest the upcoming galamsey protest.

Oliver Barker-Vormawor, one of the Democracy Hub activists arrested for proresting the Akufo-Addo administration, said this was the first time in his lifetime, a High Court has rejected an Application for injunction against a demonstration.

He suggested that this was a mark of the wind of change under the Mahama administration.

"Even the Courts have started breathing the air of Freedom. They know what is good oo. Is it that they know what is good, but they will wait for the NDC to come to power first?"

Okatakyie returns with his own show

YEN.com.gh reported that Afrifa-Mensah has returned to the airwaves following his resignation from Angel FM.

The firebrand broadcaster who resigned from his job as host of Angel FM's morning show over a reported clash with management is now hosting his podcast called For The Records.

He said last year he resigned from Angel FM due to personal reasons.

However, despite this explanation, speculation on social media suggested that he was sacked for using his platform to attack some prominent men of God, traditional leaders and politicians.

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh