Founder of the Royal House Chapel International, Apostle General Sam Korankye Ankrah, has appealed to the government and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to show leniency by granting bail to the Democracy Hub protestors.
The protestors, who were arrested following demonstrations against illegal mining (galamsey) and economic hardships, remain in custody after violent clashes with police.
During a Sunday service on September 29, Apostle Ankrah expressed his concern that detaining these individuals could worsen the situation by provoking further unrest. He emphasized that imprisoning the protestors does not address the underlying issues facing the nation.
“I want to plead with the Inspector General of Police and the government, the young boys and girls who have been arrested because of the demonstration against illegal mining and against the hardship that is going on in the nation, I am pleading with the government and the court and the IGP—those young boys be released. Give them bail,” the preacher urged.
Apostle Ankrah also advised the youth to exercise caution during future protests, calling for peaceful and non-violent demonstrations.
“We are advising anyone when you are going to have your democratic demonstrations, please be matching with your slogans and your placards; that’s all that we want to see. We don’t want violence in this nation,” he added.
The recent protests, which occurred between September 21 and 23, started peacefully but escalated into violent confrontations between demonstrators and the police. Protestors were accused of blocking roads, dismantling barriers, obstructing traffic, and setting property on fire at the 37 Roundabout in Accra.
As a result, 53 protesters were arrested, with 9 being sent to prison while the rest remain in police custody.
Defense lawyers argued during a bail hearing that their clients were enduring harsh conditions, while the prosecution insisted that the detainees were well cared for, even receiving meals from the popular local restaurant, ‘Papaye’. This claim sparked outrage from the defense.
Despite pleas for their release, the judge denied bail, citing concerns about the protesters’ unknown addresses and ordering them to remain in custody until October 8. Following the court proceedings, the detained protesters expressed their discontent by singing patriotic songs.