Award-winning actress and outspoken activist Lydia Forson has directly ‘confronted’ President Nana Akufo-Addo over the recent arrests of protesters demonstrating against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

In a bold statement shared on her social media, Forson questioned the president’s commitment to the human rights values he once championed as an activist.

Addressing the president, Forson said, “Dear @NAkufoAddo, this cannot be your legacy! You spent years as a human rights activist with placards on the streets! What happened? What happened to the man from ‘Ku me preko’?”

Her reference to Ku me preko, a pivotal protest in 1995 led by a younger Akufo-Addo against the economic hardship and policies of the Rawlings administration, struck a chord as she questioned how the former activist’s principles seemed to have shifted now that he holds power.

Forson further echoed a plea for citizens’ rights to be upheld, calling attention to Akufo-Addo’s past speeches encouraging Ghanaians to be active participants in democracy.

“Your ‘Fellow Ghanaians’ are following your charge to be citizens, not spectators,” she added, referring to the president’s famous call for civic engagement during his presidency.

The actress’s pointed message came in response to the recent arrests of anti-galamsey protesters who were advocating for stricter measures to protect Ghana’s environment from the devastating effects of illegal mining.

The arrest of these individuals has sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning whether the government is silencing voices of dissent.

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