The Women’s Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed outrage and deep concern over the recent arrest and wrongful detention of a pregnant woman, identified as Vera, by the Ghana Police Service.
The group condemned the treatment of Vera, calling it inhumane and a violation of her constitutional rights. This incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with the NDC Women’s Wing vowing to hold the police accountable for what they describe as a blatant disregard for human rights and the well-being of vulnerable individuals.
Vera, who was among a group of protesters arrested by the Ghana Police, has reportedly been denied basic necessities, such as food and water, for the past 48 hours.
The Women’s Wing emphasized that such treatment is not only unacceptable but also unlawful under Ghana’s legal and constitutional framework.
“The denial of basic necessities like food and water, particularly to a pregnant woman, is an act of cruelty that should not be tolerated in any society that claims to respect human rights,” the statement read.
Reports indicate that Vera’s condition and her status as an expectant mother were either ignored or disregarded by the police authorities.
The NDC Women’s Wing said this action reflects broader systemic failures in law enforcement, particularly in their treatment of vulnerable individuals like pregnant women, who require special protection.
The NDC Women’s Wing cited Clause 2 of Article 15 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which explicitly forbids inhumane or degrading treatment of individuals, whether they are under arrest, detained, or restricted in any way.
The clause states, “No person shall, whether or not he is arrested, restricted, or detained, be subjected to … torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”
The press release emphasized that the treatment of Vera, particularly given her pregnancy, constitutes a grave violation of this constitutional provision.
“This breach of human rights goes beyond the arrest itself. It represents a disregard for Ghana’s constitutional commitments and the basic principles of human dignity.”
Women’s Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
The Women’s Wing further criticized the police for neglecting the well-being and health of Vera, calling it a failure of law enforcement agencies to uphold their mandate to protect citizens.
Call for Accountability and Investigation
The Women’s Wing of the NDC did not stop at condemning the incident. They demanded a thorough, independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest and detention of Vera, as well as other protesters.
The group stressed that those responsible for the mistreatment must be held accountable, and the investigation must be transparent to restore public trust in law enforcement.
“We expect full accountability from the Ghana Police Service for these acts of cruelty and any breaches of the law.
“We will not tolerate a justice system that fails to protect and respect the rights of individuals, particularly women, in distressing circumstances.”
Women’s Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
In addition, the Women’s Wing highlighted the broader implications of such incidents on Ghana’s reputation as a country committed to upholding the rights of its citizens.
“This is not just about Vera. It’s about the future of justice in Ghana, and whether we can trust our institutions to defend the rights of the most vulnerable among us,” the Women’s Wing stated.
In their call to action, the NDC Women’s Wing urged all civil society organizations, women’s rights groups, and human rights activists to join them in speaking out against this violation of rights.
The group emphasized the importance of collective action in ensuring such incidents are not repeated. “We must unite our voices against such abuses of power, so that no other woman or vulnerable individual is subjected to similar treatment,” the statement read.
The group insisted that only decisive action will prevent future occurrences of such mistreatment and ensure that all citizens, regardless of circumstance, are treated with dignity and respect.
“We stand with Vera and all others who have been unjustly treated. The Women’s Wing of the NDC will continue to monitor this situation closely and ensure that the voices of the vulnerable are heard.”
Women’s Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
The incident, which has garnered significant public attention, has raised questions about the practices of the Ghana Police Service and the safeguards in place to protect pregnant women and other vulnerable groups in police custody.
As the NDC Women’s Wing continues to push for justice, the focus will remain on whether the Ghanaian authorities respond with the transparency and accountability demanded by the public. The Women’s Wing has vowed to keep a close watch on the investigation and to take further action if necessary, ensuring that Vera’s case does not go unnoticed or unaddressed.
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