Oliver Barker-Vormawor, leader of the Democracy Hub and a prominent Ghanaian activist, has been granted bail by the Accra High Court after several unsuccessful attempts. Barker-Vormawor was arrested during a protest against “galamsey,” the illegal mining practice in Ghana that has caused significant environmental damage.
The activist faces charges including conspiracy, unlawful assembly, assault on a public officer, and stealing a police car key. After weeks of public pressure from civil society groups, his bail was set at GH₵20,000 with two sureties, as reported by Graphic Online. This decision comes after previous bail requests were denied by both the Accra Circuit Court and the High Court.
One condition of his bail is that he must report to the police station every two weeks. The activist’s ongoing legal battles have raised concerns about the government’s treatment of those who speak out against injustice.
During the court proceedings, the presiding judge expressed apprehension that Barker-Vormawor could commit further offenses while on bail. The activist is one of 53 individuals charged with conspiracy, unlawful assembly, and assault related to the #StopGalamsey protests. Despite these concerns, the court ultimately granted bail, set at GH₵20,000, with bi-weekly check-ins required.
Led by Justice Srem-Sai, Barker-Vormawor’s legal team had previously filed a bail application, which was denied on October 7. However, persistence paid off, and the activist was granted bail on October 16, 2024.
Meanwhile, Nigerian human rights activist Omoyele Sowore visited Barker-Vormawor during his detention at the Accra Police Station, showing solidarity with the activist. Barker-Vormawor shared his gratitude on his verified X page, acknowledging Sowore’s visit and his dedication to addressing poor governance across Africa.
In his post, Barker-Vormawor expressed hope for the future, saying, “The emergence of a new generation of African leaders, who refuse to accept mediocre leadership and the indignity of poverty, inspires me. Our struggle is linked, and Africa will be free in our lifetime!”
Sowore also took to social media, condemning the detention of Barker-Vormawor and other activists. He described the arrests as illegal and a violation of human rights, stating, “We visited Comrade Lawyer Oliver Barker, who is unjustly incarcerated for fighting bad governance in Ghana. We demand that the Ghanaian government free these citizens immediately. Africa Unite! #RevolutionNow.”
Thousands of protesters marched through Accra from October 3 to 5, 2024, demanding the government address the environmental damage caused by illegal mining, or “galamsey.” The demonstrators also called for the release of 53 youth activists detained on September 24 during a protest against the illegal practice, which they blame for polluting Ghana’s waterbodies and destroying forests.
The protests and arrests have drawn international attention, with activists pledging to maintain pressure on the government until tangible actions are taken.
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