On July 9, 2024, the Ghana Police Service received a notification from Democracy Hub, a civil society group, outlining their intention to hold a demonstration from September 21 to 23, 2024, at the Revolutionary Square near the Jubilee House.
Following this notice, the police engaged the protest organizers to negotiate the protest’s logistics, particularly concerning the location.
In a press release signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Director of Public Affairs, the police outlined their concerns and actions regarding the protest.
ACP Ansah-Akrofi noted that while the police agreed to the protest’s timing, they advised the group to change their selected venue due to security concerns.
“The Revolutionary Square, a high-security zone, was considered unsuitable for such a public demonstration. The police suggested alternative venues and highlighted potential risks, including public health, safety, and traffic disruption.
“However, Democracy Hub refused to accept the proposed alternatives and insisted on picketing at the Revolutionary Square.”
ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Director of Public Affairs
As a result of the impasse, the police sought legal intervention, taking the matter to court to resolve the disagreement over the venue.
ACP Ansah-Akrofi emphasized that the police’s intention was not to prevent the protest but to secure a safer, more appropriate venue.
“The High Court, on 18th September 2024, granted an order to prohibit Democracy Hub from using the Revolutionary Square as the venue for their intended demonstration.”
ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Director of Public Affairs
According to ACP Ansah-Akrofi, in a bid to ensure public safety and adherence to the rule of law, it met with the organizers once again, offering seven alternative venues.
“Despite Police efforts to facilitate their constitutional right to demonstrate, the organizers remained adamant and insisted that they would disobey the order of the courts and picket at the Revolutionary Square in front of the Jubilee House,” the Police stated.
Unlawful Assembly and Disruptions
On September 21, 2024, the first day of the planned protest, the demonstrators allegedly defied both the court’s ruling and the Police’s guidance by unlawfully assembling at the 37 Intersection, a major thoroughfare in Accra.
The Police detailed several acts of disorder during the protest, including the blocking of roads with vehicles, stones, and logs, setting fires in the intersection, and harassing road users. Notably, both military and police personnel were targeted by some protestors.
The demonstrators also reportedly damaged property, banged on vehicles, and even played football in the middle of the road, all of which escalated public inconvenience, particularly for motorists.
“These unGhanaian, uncivil and unlawful acts of the demonstrators caused extreme inconvenience to commuters who were caught in traffic for several hours.
“Persons in need of medical care had difficulty reaching the medical facilities, and families visiting their loved ones who were on admission at the hospital had difficulty getting to them with essential supplies.”
ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Director of Public Affairs
The Police emphasized the negative impact these disruptions had on the daily lives of ordinary Ghanaians.
Despite warnings, the Police reported that the demonstrators returned to the 37 Intersection on September 22, 2024, for a second day of protests, repeating many of the previous day’s disruptive actions.
The press release detailed that while Police officers were attempting to professionally and persuasively disperse the protestors, they were met with resistance.
Some demonstrators attacked officers, with one individual allegedly removing the ignition key from a Police vehicle and others throwing Police crash barriers at officers.
In response to these actions, the Police arrested 54 individuals involved in the protest. The press release noted that these arrests were conducted without the use of any force, and all individuals taken into custody were later processed in court, in accordance with due legal procedures.
Alleged Arrests of Vulnerable Individuals
In the aftermath of the arrests, media reports emerged suggesting that a 12-year-old child, a 68-year-old woman, and a pregnant woman were among those detained. The Police press release sought to categorically refute these claims.
According ACP Ansah-Akrofi, the 12-year-old child referenced in the reports had accompanied her guardian, Grace Asantewaa, a 50-year-old woman, who was arrested during the protest.
“In order not to separate the child from the woman, the child was allowed to accompany her to the Police Station,” the Police stated.
The press release clarified that Ms. Asantewaa was charged with exposing a child to danger by bringing her to the protest in violation of section 71 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). She was subsequently granted Police bail and allowed to return home with the child.
Regarding the alleged arrest of a pregnant woman, the Police clarified that the individual in question, Gloria Vera Louise, did not display any visible signs of pregnancy during her arrest. Moreover, at no point did she disclose her pregnancy status to the Police or the court.
“In order to establish the veracity or otherwise of the claim in the public domain of the alleged pregnancy, the Police took the initiative and sent her to the Police Hospital and an independent health facility for a thorough medical examination.
“Both medical results came out negative, suggesting that Gloria Vera Louise, is not pregnant as claimed.”
ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Director of Public Affairs
The Ghana Police Service reiterated its commitment to upholding democratic freedoms, ensuring public safety, and adhering to the laws governing public demonstrations.
As part of its efforts to maintain transparency, the police announced that the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) would investigate the extended detention of two suspects beyond 48 hours. Disciplinary action would be taken against any officers found culpable.
The police called on the public to exercise caution when involving children in activities that could expose them to danger, urging responsible behavior during public demonstrations.
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