Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga East Constituency Dr. Dominic Ayine seem to be on completely different page with is party party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) with regards to the approach adopted by the activist group, Democracy Hub in their latest protest.
While most members of the NDC including the party’s flagbearer John Mahama, are only condemning government and police of the arrest of the anti-galamsey protesters, Dr Ayine has give a rather objective review of the protest.
The former Deputy Attorney General, expressed strong disapproval of the recent clashes between protesters and the police during demonstrations organized by Democracy Hub. He labeled the violent confrontations as unproductive and damaging to the cause of the protesters.
In a Saturday, September 28 interview with TV3, Dr. Ayine stressed the importance of maintaining peace during protests. He acknowledged the constitutional right to protest but emphasized that demonstrations should not include physical confrontations or any form of violence. According to him, such acts only create unnecessary tension and erode the relationship between law enforcement and citizens.
The three-day protest aimed at demanding government action against corruption, mismanagement, and illegal mining took an unfortunate turn as confrontations erupted between demonstrators and police officers. During these altercations, 53 protesters were arrested. Dr. Ayine expressed disappointment over the escalation, pointing out that violence distracts from the real issues and impedes meaningful progress.
Dr. Ayine also took issue with certain protest tactics, such as blocking traffic, which he viewed as counterproductive. However, he criticized the authorities for denying bail to detained protesters, arguing that it was a disproportionate response.
“I do not support blocking traffic or fighting the police, and these actions are condemnable. However, denying bail to those arrested is excessive and akin to punishing citizens for exercising their rights. It is a misuse of judicial authority,” he stated.
He called for a renewed focus on peaceful and strategic ways of making demands known, urging both protesters and law enforcement to exercise restraint. Dr. Ayine reiterated that the goal of any demonstration should be to foster constructive dialogue and work towards positive change, not to create conflict or alienate those in positions of power.
