The Senior Programme Officer at the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana Dr. Michael Augustus Akagbor raised concerns over the Police handling of peaceful protests.
His remarks focused on the police’s role in ensuring public safety while respecting the civil rights of demonstrators, especially young people. Dr. Akagbor emphasized that while maintaining public order is crucial, the police must not violate citizens’ rights during protests. He argued that recent events suggest the police are mishandling situations involving youth-led protests, and this trend must be addressed.
Dr. Akagbor opened his remarks by acknowledging the dual responsibility of the police to protect both the general public and protesters.
“The police has a duty to protect all citizens, and even in terms of demonstrations or protests, they must ensure that public safety is assured for members of the society who might not necessarily be part of the demonstration.”
Dr. Michael Augustus Akagbor Senior Programme Officer at the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana
However, Dr. Akagbor noted that despite this mandate, there appears to be an increasing pattern of excessive force being used against young protesters across the country.
Concerns About Discriminatory Policing
Dr. Akagbor expressed concern that the authorities seem to treat youth-led demonstrations as opportunities to assert control and punish young people.
“What we are increasingly worried about is how the police seem to be treating young protesters, especially the youth when they go on demonstrations and our position is that when you look across the country, even on our campuses, [the way the] police handle young people when they protest causes alarm.”
Dr. Michael Augustus Akagbor Senior Programme Officer at the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana
He further argued that this aggressive stance reflected a discriminatory attitude within the police force, which appears to be intent on “teaching them a lesson” rather than ensuring the peaceful expression of grievances.
Dr. Akagbor was particularly critical of the police’s handling of recent demonstrations, where many protesters were arrested and detained for exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
“Why do we need to arrest young people just because they are angry at the way the country is being run? And they are expressing their anger through a peaceful demonstration, which is constitutionally guaranteed.”
Dr. Michael Augustus Akagbor Senior Programme Officer at the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana
He emphasized that detention for mere participation in a protest is a serious infringement.
“You deprive people of their liberties and their freedoms when you put them in prison. You curtail their rights and freedoms , and we have a big issue with that.”
Dr. Michael Augustus Akagbor Senior Programme Officer at the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana
Dr. Akagbor also commented on reports of detainees being denied medical attention. He clarified specifically Oliver-Barker Vormawor the protest leader who according to certain reports allegedly circulated false information that he did not receive timely medical treatment while in police custody. However, the police also have since denied these claims, stating that Vormawor was taken to the police hospital.
In response, Dr. Akagbor acknowledged the police’s statement but emphasized that the broader issue is the police’s overall approach to protests, which he described as adversarial. He reiterated; “Yes, we heard Oliver has gotten some attention at the hospital. But the point we are making is that the police need to find out a better way of dealing with protests.”
Dr. Akagbor acknowledged the importance of the police investigating crimes that may occur during demonstrations, but he criticized the tendency to treat all demonstrators as criminals. He insisted that the police should focus on those who break the law, rather than detaining innocent bystanders or peaceful protesters.
“In spaces where it can be determined that an individual committed a crime, the law must deal with that individual. But there are narratives of ordinary bystanders who were arrested. What crimes did they commit?”
Dr. Michael Augustus Akagbor Senior Programme Officer at the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana
He stressed that the police must find a way to engage with demonstrators without resorting to unnecessary arrests or excessive force.
Police Should Serve All Citizens, Not the Powerful
A major point in Dr. Akagbor’s argument was the perceived bias in the police’s actions during protests. He argued that the police appear to prioritize the protection of the powerful rather than the general public.
“The police seem to forget that they are also members of the very community that these citizens belong to… It is not in the interest of the police to stop citizens from expressing their civil and political right of dissent.”
Dr. Michael Augustus Akagbor Senior Programme Officer at the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana
The Role of the CDD in Protecting Protesters’ Rights
He expressed hope for a more collaborative approach to policing protests, where security forces work alongside citizens to safeguard democratic freedoms.
“We are continuously engaging with our stakeholders, including the police and the population who go on this engagement and it is our wish that we could find a middle ground where these protests can take place without intimidation by the security forces.”
Dr. Michael Augustus Akagbor Senior Programme Officer at the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana
“These mechanisms are very important to the survival of our democracy, and we need to protect them. We don’t need to start criminalizing or using the law to suppress the right of people to express their anger when they do not like how things are going in the country.”
Dr. Michael Augustus Akagbor Senior Programme Officer at the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana
Dr. Akagbor’s statement underscored the need for a more balanced approach to policing in Ghana. While maintaining public safety is essential, the police must respect the constitutional rights of protesters and avoid excessive force. The CDD’s efforts aim to foster an environment where citizens can exercise their right to protest without fear of unlawful detention or mistreatment.
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