The Ghana Police Service has confirmed that the Convener of the Democracy Hub, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has been admitted to the Police Hospital following complaints of ill health.
According to the police, Barker-Vormawor, along with another group member, Fanny Otoo, had been transferred to the Police Hospital for medical care after both individuals complained of being unwell.
This follows their remand into police and prison custody after participating in a protest against illegal mining and economic mismanagement.
In a press release, the law enforcement agency explained that “Suspect Fanny Otoo, on Tuesday 24th September 2024, complained to the police that he was indisposed, as the suspects in the case were being prepared for court.
“The police sent him to the Police Hospital in Accra, where doctors at the hospital attended to him and later admitted him for further treatment.”
The police further noted, “Suspect Oliver Barker-Vormawor, was also taken to the Police Hospital for medical attention, having reported sick late last night, Tuesday 24th September 2024, where doctors assessed his condition and subsequently admitted him for treatment.”
The police emphasized that at no point in time have they denied these suspects medical attention.
The three-day protest organised by the Democracy Hub was to press home their demands for the government to swiftly end the illegal mining activities in the country.
According to the group, the menace was robbing Ghana of its natural resources and endangering the lives of future generations.
However, the protest witnessed several arrests forcing only two individuals to show up for the final day of the protest.
So far, 39 protesters have been remanded to police and prison custody, with others yet to appear before the court, including one of the leaders of the group, Oliver Barker-Vormawor.
Ten out of the group were charged with conspiracy to commit crime, namely; unlawful assembly.
Nine were also charged with conspiracy to commit crime, namely unlawful assembly, causing unlawful damage, and offensive conduct due to breach of peace.
A group of 11 has been remanded into prison custody, with their case adjourned to October 8.
The remaining nine, tried in a different courtroom, have been remanded into police custody, with their case adjourned to October 11.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
They have also been remanded to reappear on October 8.
Below is the full statement;
