Oliver Barker-Vormawor speaks after being denied bail

One of the leaders of the Democracy Hub, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, who organised a recent three-day #StopGalamsey protest, has shared his sentiments after the Accra High Court denied him bail.

The convener stated that whatever he is going through as a result of embarking on a protest against the illegal mining activities, locally known as galamsey, is worthy for the cause of the nation.

He asserted that he is not perturbed by his arrest and the refusal of the Accra High Court to grant him bail, adding that the sacrifice is worth it for the nation.

“Ghana is worth the sacrifice! Stay the course!,” Barker-Vormawor wrote on X on October 8, 2024.

Background:

The Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Comfort Tasiame, denied Barker-Vormawor bail application, citing the need for further investigation and concerns about the possibility of public unrest if he is released.

Oliver is standing bail for treason, and for that reason, he cannot be granted bail for another offence, the judge noted.

His legal team argued that his detention violates his constitutional rights to free expression and peaceful assembly, stating that the protests were non-violent and intended to raise awareness about the negative impact of illegal mining.

The information about his bail denial was shared by Kwaku Asante on social media app X on Monday, October 7, 2024.

It stated, “The High Court has refused to grant Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Convenor of the protest, bail. According to the judge, Oliver is currently standing trial for treason, and what will be the assurance that he will not commit another offense if granted bail?”

Barker-Vormawor was arrested alongside 53 other people charged with unlawful assembly, unlawful damage, assaulting a public officer, and offensive conduct conducive to breaching the peace on Saturday, September 21, and Sunday, September 22, at the 37 Intersection in Accra during the protest against illegal mining popularly known as galamsey.