Ralph St. Williams, a Fix the Country movement member, has been arrested for tearing down posters at the National Cathedral construction site during the recent National Democratic Congress (NDC). The activist, widely known as “Fellow Ghanaians,” was recorded in a viral video venting his frustration over the misuse of public funds while ripping the posters.
The arrest was confirmed by Oliver Baker-Vormawor, a convener of the Fix the Country movement, via a post on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). According to Baker-Vormawor, Ralph was apprehended at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) while attempting to travel to Kumasi.
In his statement, Baker-Vormawor condemned the arrest, describing it as a reaction to Ralph’s participation in the protest, during which he symbolically opened the National Cathedral pit to emphasize the government’s alleged mismanagement of public resources. The construction site, which has reportedly cost the country GHC 58 million, has become a point of contention for many Ghanaians, including the demonstrators.
The movement leader also alleged that the arrest may have been a tactic to prevent Ralph from participating in the upcoming Say No to Galamsey protest, scheduled for September 21-23, 2024.
In response to the arrest, Baker-Vormawor is calling for Ralph’s immediate release and an official apology from the authorities, asserting that this action is an attempt to stifle dissenting voices.
“It appears that Ralph’s arrest stems from his peaceful participation in Tuesday’s ‘Enough is Enough’ demonstration, where he highlighted government mismanagement by opening the National Cathedral pit, a site that has already cost Ghana 58 million cedis, for symbolic swimming,” the tweet read in parts.
He further stated that a formal petition would be submitted to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to address the matter.
The incident has ignited a debate regarding the management of peaceful protests and the safeguarding of free speech in Ghana.
View this post on Instagram
Source: NKONKONSA.com