Fix the Country activist arrested for allegedly tearing posters at the National Cathedral site

Ralph St Williams, popularly known by his social media alias “Fellow Ghanaians” and a prominent activist within the FixTheCountry movement, was arrested at Kotoka International Airport in Accra.

The activist was reportedly on his way to Kumasi to prepare for the upcoming #SayNoToGalamsey protest, an anti-illegal mining demonstration organised by Democracy Hub, a group closely associated with the #FixTheCountry campaign.

His arrest is believed to be linked to his actions during the recent ‘Enough is Enough’ demonstration, where Ralph took a bold step to highlight what he sees as a gross mismanagement of the country’s resources.

In a highly publicised act of protest, he symbolically “swam” in the National Cathedral pit.

The project has already consumed an estimated 58 million cedis from the nation’s purse, sparking widespread criticism of the government for its financial priorities amid pressing social needs.

During the demonstration, Ralph also tore down posters at the Cathedral project site, expressing his anger and frustration with the way the government has handled public funds.

His symbolic act of “swimming” in the pit and destroying posters served as a powerful visual representation of his protest against government excesses, particularly the controversial construction of the National Cathedral, which has faced stiff opposition from many citizens.

Critics argue that the money allocated for the project could have been better spent on critical sectors like education, health, and infrastructure.

The activist’s arrest was first reported by Oliver Baker-Vormawor, the convener of the FixTheCountry movement, who shared the news via a tweet on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, September 19.

The news of Ralph’s detainment has sent shockwaves across social media, with fellow activists, supporters, and civil society organisations expressing concern over what they describe as an attempt to stifle dissent and suppress the rights of citizens to protest peacefully.

Ralph’s arrest comes at a time when the #FixTheCountry movement is gaining momentum in its campaign to demand accountability from government leaders.

The #SayNoToGalamsey protest, for which Ralph was travelling to Kumasi, aims to address the critical issue of illegal mining, which has ravaged many parts of Ghana.

The environmental destruction caused by galamsey has polluted rivers, destroyed farmlands, and displaced communities, yet the government has struggled to effectively clamp down on the practice. The protest is expected to draw large crowds and further highlight the government’s failure to address the crisis.

As news of Ralph’s arrest spreads, there are growing concerns about the implications this could have for future protests.

Many fear that this action could deter others from participating in the #SayNoToGalamsey protest, or worse, escalate tensions between protesters and the authorities.

Nonetheless, supporters of the movement have vowed to push ahead with their plans for the protest, with many emphasising the importance of standing up against environmental degradation and government mismanagement.

Ralph’s arrest has drawn renewed attention to the delicate balance between protest rights and government control in Ghana. Some argue that the arrest reflects a troubling trend in the country, where peaceful protesters are increasingly being targeted by law enforcement, especially when their actions challenge the ruling government.

Others see Ralph’s actions as a necessary disruption to awaken the country to the serious issues of corruption and environmental destruction that continue to plague Ghana.

“Press Statement: Arrest of #FixTheCountry Convenor – Ralph St Williams (Fellow Ghanaians)

19th September 2024

We have just been informed that our colleague Ralph St Williams, known widely as Fellow Ghanaians, has been arrested at Kotoka International Airport while enroute to Kumasi for mobilization activities in preparation for Saturday’s #SayNoToGalamsey protest, organized by Democracy Hub (#FixTheCountry).

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.

We believe this arrest has been strategically timed to suppress his participation in the upcoming #SayNoToGalamsey protest and to intimidate activists fighting for transparency and environmental justice.

We strongly condemn this act and demand Ralph’s immediate release.

Furthermore, we insist on an official apology from the authorities for this blatant attempt to silence critical voices. We will be sending a formal petition to the Inspector General of Police to address this situation.

#FixTheCountry remains resolute in our commitment to holding leaders accountable and standing against the forces perpetuating corruption and environmental degradation.

Signed, Democracy Hub.”