Eco-Conscious Citizens has penned an open letter to Inspector General of Police (IGP) George Akuffo Dampare bringing to light allegations of selective justice in the case of the pollution of Atronsu Stream, the only source of drinking water in Atronsu.
On November 8, Ghana’s Farmers Day, four farmers and community activists were arrested for allegedly burning an excavator used by illegal miners, while the miners responsible for polluting the stream remain free.
According to the letter, the activists had been complaining about the pollution for months, but their concerns were ignored.
The illegal miners were eventually arrested but granted police bail, only to return to their destructive activities. This has raised concerns about the police’s commitment to justice and their perceived facilitation of illegal mining activities.
“The optics do not look good,” Eco-Conscious Citizens Coordinator, Awula Serwah, stated.
“The granting of bail to the illegal miners is in sharp contrast to the treatment of the anti-galamsey demonstrators who were repeatedly denied police bail.”
The letter urges IGP Dampare to intervene and ensure that the activists are granted police bail, citing the growing perception of selective justice.
“The growing impression that the Police are facilitating the activities of illegal miners does not inspire confidence in Ghana Police,” it reads.
Below is the full open letter to the IGP
Open Letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP)
Dear IGP,
Selective Justice? Pollution of Atronsu Stream, the Only Source of Drinking Water in Atronsu
It has come to the attention of Eco-Conscious Citizens that today 8th November when Ghana is marking Farmers Day and acknowledging their importance to our National Wellbeing, four farmers have been arrested in Atronsu.
The farmers who are also Community Activists heeding the President’s call to be Active Citizens and not Spectators, were arrested for allegedly burning an excavator used by illegal miners.
Their arrest is in sharp contrast to the reluctance of the Police to arrest the illegal miners who have been recklessly polluting the Atronsu Stream that provides life and sustenance to the Atronsu community.
It is of concern that the Illegal miners who have been actively poisoning the only source of drinking water in Atronsu are walking free.
The Activists have for months been complaining about the pollution of the once pristine Atronsu Stream, by illegal miners.
Despite their formal complaints the illegal miners continued their criminal activities with impunity. Eco-Conscious Citizens Coordinator Awula Serwah also informally complained to the Police and the EPA.
The illegal miners were eventually arrested but promptly given police bail. They were quick to return to their illegal mining activities and pollution of the Atronsu Stream.
The optics do not look good.
The granting of bail to the illegal miners is in sharp contrast to the treatment of the anti-galamsey demonstrators who were repeatedly denied police bail.
Eco-Conscious Citizens therefore respectfully urge you to counter the growing impression that the Police are facilitating the activities of illegal miners by intervening to ensure that the activists are granted police bail.
The growing perception of selective justice does not inspire confidence in Ghana Police.
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