The independence of Ghana and the democracy the country enjoys today did not come on a silver platter, as many sacrifices were made by its forebearers.

The freedom the country enjoys is also the product of the struggles and positive defiances of some great men and women who stood up to the 'oppressors rule' and who spoke truth to power.

Can the same be said about the leaders and members of the Democratic Hub who were arrested over the weekend during the #OccupyJulorbi House demonstration over the government’s failure to curb the menace of illegal small-scale mining (galamsey), which is destroying the country’s forest reserves and water bodies?

This is not the first time these leaders have been on the ‘wrong’ side of the 'law' which has created doubts about the motives of their protests.

But are these leaders the Nkrumahs of this generation or are they just troublemakers?

Here are some of the leaders of the Democratic Hub and the times they were in the news for the wrong reasons.

Ralph Williams:

Ralph Williams, convenor of the #FixtheCountry Movement, is a constant figure at almost every recent demonstration held in the country.

Ralph has been vociferous about the state of Ghana under the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government; bemoaning the lack of opportunities for the youth, the lack of development in the country, and the corruption under the government.

He recently made news headlines after he destroyed the campaign posters of the Flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, which had been used to fence the area being used for the construction of the National Cathedral.

Ama Governor:

Lawyer Elorm Ababio, a human rights advocate and social media influencer, who is widely known as Ama Governor, has also been in the news for contentious reasons.

Ama Governor, who is very vocal on issues of sexual freedom, made news headlines after she was denied a call to the Bar in November 2022 after a complaint filed by a ‘concerned citizen’ who claimed she had been engaging in “conduct unbecoming of an applicant to be called to the bar.”

She was eventually called to the Bar in November 2023 after another rejection earlier that year.

Oliver Barker-Vormawor:

Lawyer Oliver Barker-Vormawor is arguably the most arrested and prosecuted member of the Democratic Hub.

He was arrested in February 2022 after he threatened to overthrow the government on social media over the passage of the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy).

He was charged with treason and is currently being prosecuted by the state.

Barker-Vormawor was once again arrested in May 2024, a few days after his release by the police from his initial arrest for reckless driving.

He was also sued by the Minister for National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah, after he accused the minister of offering him a $1 million bribe to stop his activism.

BAI/AE

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