“If you attack a police officer or take away their car key, you must face the law… ” Ex-president Kufuor on the Oliver Barker-Vormawor Democracy Hub Protesters case. [Attached: an image of Oliver in action]

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has emphasized that any person who breaks the law must face the consequences. He made this statement in relation to the recent arrest and prosecution of the Democracy Hub protesters, particularly their leader, Oliver Barker Vormawor. Mr. Kufuor acknowledged the right to demonstrate but stressed that this right does not extend to violating the law during protests.

It is recalled that during a recent Democracy Hub protest, Barker Vormawor was caught on camera removing the keys from a police van. He was subsequently arrested and charged. Addressing the issue on Accra-based Angel FM, Mr. Kufuor said, “If you attack a police officer or take away their car key, you must face the law or be punished. We can’t let them go scot-free.”

Turning his attention to illegal small-scale mining, or galamsey, Mr. Kufuor warned of its severe impact on both the environment and the livelihoods of many Ghanaians. “We must find a solution to this menace that affects not only the environment but also the livelihoods of many Ghanaians,” he stated. He called for a united front in combating galamsey to preserve Ghana’s natural resources. “We need to work together to find a way to stop the destruction of our natural resources and ensure that our environment is protected for future generations.”

In a related development, Organised Labour has suspended its planned strike set for October 10, 2024, after expressing satisfaction with the government’s actions against galamsey. The suspension came after evaluating the measures rolled out to address the menace so far.

Mr. Kufuor’s comments align with the broader national discourse on balancing civil liberties with adherence to the law and protecting the environment for future generations.