Police told us to roam Accra to look for over 46 detained protesters - Democracy Hub
Accra, Ghana - The Ghana Police Service faces allegations of unlawfully detaining over 46 protesters participating in the "Occupy Julorbi House" demonstration against the government's handling of economic crisis and galamsey (illegal mining).
Prince Ganaku, a lawyer for Democracy Hub, told Citi FM's Eyewitness News that authorities refused to disclose the full list of arrested individuals, forcing the group to scour Accra's streets for missing demonstrators.
Ganaku claimed the detainees are being held in various cells nationwide, denied legal representation, and are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, September 23.
“In our attempt to get them bail, we engaged with the police and they declined to give us the list of people who have been arrested. We were told, and to quote the police, ‘to go and roam the streets of Accra and if we find them, fine. If we don’t find them, fine.”
“We heard that there was an order from above that they should not allow those that they arrested to get access to legal representation and so they have taken them to different locations and the information we are getting is that they will detain them and arraign them for court tomorrow. All these are deliberate measures taken to punish the people.”
“We only know what the police told us. We know where certain people are but we don’t have a firm number as to the total number of people arrested,” he added.
The protests, organized by pressure group Democracy Hub, aimed to push the President and Economic Management Team to address economic mismanagement, theft, and contentious policies.
The Ghana Police Service had obtained an injunction to prohibit the demonstration, citing concerns over public safety and order. However, Democracy Hub claimed they were unaware of the court order.
This incident has sparked concerns about police conduct, protesters' rights, and the balance between freedom of assembly and public order in Ghana.
Source :Lead News Online
