'Our criminal justice system treats suspects like slaves' - Protester recounts trauma in jail

One of the protesters of the #ReOccupyJulorbiHouse and #StopGalamseyNow protest, Felicity Nelson, has expressed deep dissatisfaction with Ghana's criminal justice system, describing it as a failed institution that treats suspects like slaves.

One might recall the recent protest that occurred from September 21 to 23, 2024, organised by the Democracy Hub in its fight against illegal mining (galamsey) led to several arrests by the police.

In an interview on Accra-based JoyNews on October 12, 2024, a member of the Democracy Hub who suffered an asthmatic attack while in police custody, Felicity Nelson, revealed that her phone was confiscated by the police and was denied access to her family.

"I was using my phone when the police took it from me. I was taken by the police, and they did not inform me that I was under arrest. It was only when I arrived at the police station that they informed me I was being arrested for illegal assembly.

"I was denied phone calls, and the police held onto my phone for 10 days. I informed them that I was asthmatic and needed to contact my family, but they claimed they did not have my phone.

"I went to the cell, and during the night, I had an asthmatic attack," she recounted.

Felicity went on to explain that after the asthma attack, the police informed the attending doctor that they could not afford to purchase an inhaler for her, which cost GH¢140.

"I had an asthma attack, and they took me to the police hospital. Upon arrival, the doctor stated that I required an inhaler, but the police officer who accompanied me said he did not have the funds. As a result, I did not receive the inhaler, but they administered a different treatment that cost GH¢70."

She mentioned that once her family learned of her location, her sister visited the station multiple times, attempting to leave her inhaler, but the police refused to accept it.

"When my family discovered I was at the Cantonments police station, my sister visited three times, trying to leave my inhaler, but the police informed her that I was not present," she added.

JHM/MA

Watch the video below:

"Our criminal justice system treats suspects like slaves".

Felicity Nelson narrates her almost 17-day ordeal in the hands of the Ghana Police Service. #NewsFile pic.twitter.com/asQZvtzEtD

— Joy 99.7 FM (@Joy997FM) October 12, 2024