According to the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), recent protest events and the approach taken by the Ghana Police Service in handling protestors risk undermining the right to protest.
CDD-Ghana noted that this is being done under the guise of maintaining public order, creating uncertainty around how citizens can effectively exercise their right to demonstrate.
CDD-Ghana expressed concern over the use of force and aggression by the police during recent protests, which led to mass arrests and restrictions on public demonstrations.
The Center observed that while the nature of the protests varied, the state’s response remained consistent, raising questions about whether state actors are deliberately discouraging citizens from protesting on national issues or voicing their concerns.
“In recent years, however, protests in Ghana, such as #OccupyGhana, #FixTheCountry, and more recently, #OccupyJulorbi demonstrations, have all emerged as protest platforms for Ghanaians to exercise their civil and constitutional right against the state and government.
“As their predecessors, the intention of these protests has been to seek immediate change in the country’s management by demanding better and improved living conditions from the state and its political actors. A right they exercise firmly entrenched within Ghana’s superintending legal order framework that provides explicit provisions to safeguard the rights of citizens to protest”.
Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)
The Center further argued that the actions of the police, and to some extent the judiciary, seem aimed at suppressing citizens’ rights to protest and peaceful assembly.
It highlighted instances where courts have issued injunctions against protests, while the police have resorted to mass arrests and the use of force.
These actions, the CDD-Ghana noted, send a concerning message to the public that their right to demonstrate and peacefully assemble is not fully protected.
According to the organization, when citizens feel their ability to gather and voice their concerns is restricted, it discourages civic participation.
The Center also noted that this reduces public pressure for accountability from state actors. “When citizens experience unjust treatment at the hands of the police, it undermines public confidence in law enforcement agencies and the justice system”.
CDD-Ghana Warns Against False Arrests, Calls for Reforms
Furthermore, CDD-Ghana expressed concern that false arrests are being used as a tactic to silence political opposition, intimidate activists, and undermine the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly — core pillars of democratic societies.
Such actions, the Center indicated, strip individuals of their liberty and deny them due process, often resulting in wrongful imprisonment, damage to their reputation, and significant psychological distress.
“It is recommended that to ensure the balance between maintaining public order and protecting citizens’ constitutional rights, certain steps must be taken. One of the key actions is opening the conversation for an amendment of Act 94 to clarify the notification process so it is not interpreted as a request for permission.
“Additionally, there should be established clear objective criteria for when and how police can intervene in protests. It can also be recommended that the Police Professional Standards Bureau introduce specialized training for police officers on human rights, de-escalation strategies, and non-violent crowd control”.
Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)
The Center emphasized that the right to peaceful assembly is inalienable and cannot be revoked, just as the role of the police as a key state institution cannot be eliminated.
As such, it noted that it is imperative that state responses to mass gatherings and protests remain measured, proportionate, and focused on de-escalation rather than confrontation.
To achieve this, the Center called for enhanced training of police officers to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to handle mass demonstrations effectively.
This training should cover the legal and regulatory frameworks governing freedom of expression and assembly.
According to the Center, this will ensure that officers understand the rights of citizens and the limits of their authority. “They can talk and engage with demonstrators, listen to their concerns, and to a certain extent, empathize with them”.
