Ghanaian artist and founder of the Tsadidi Street Art Festival, Glenn Samm, has shared his experience after being arrested during the ‘StopGalamseyNow’ protest, alongside 52 others.
Recounting his ordeal on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz show, Glenn revealed that the police seemed to have specific targets during the protest, and he believes he was arrested because of his appearance.
“I was just sitting at the bus stop at El Wak Sports Stadium when the police picked me up. I wasn’t even at the protest grounds,” Glenn explained.
He further noted that the police appeared to be looking for "people of interest," implying that his arrest might have been linked to his distinct look.
Glenn spent 16 days in police custody, shuffled between three different cells in Accra before being granted bail.
Despite the challenging experience, he reflected on the lessons learned, saying, “In everything, just be wise and keep calm.”
The protest, aimed at drawing attention to the ongoing illegal mining (galamsey) crisis in Ghana, led to the arrest of 53 protesters, sparking public outcry over the perceived harsh treatment of the demonstrators.
Glenn Samm, like many others, was remanded for about two weeks before being released on bail.