The 2020 running mate to former President John Mahama, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has strongly criticised the police disruption of the #OccupyJulorBiHouse demonstration. In a post on Thursday, September 21, Prof Opoku-Agyemang decried the actions of the Ghana Police Service, describing them as unjustified and detrimental to the rights of Ghanaian citizens.
In the early hours of Thursday, the police arrested approximately 50 demonstrators who were participating in the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest. Despite prior warnings from the police to halt the protest, the organisers pressed on with the protest, calling for various reforms such as a reduction in the cost of living, an end to corruption, and improved governance.
Among those arrested was Oliver Barker Vormawor, the #FixtheCountry convener, who shared a video on social media showing protestors dressed in black and red seated inside a police bus. Mr Vormawor expressed uncertainty about their destination and disappointment in the police’s actions, emphasising that the authorities had militarised the police to suppress demonstrators. He asserted, “They have no right to arrest demonstrators in the country. This is not the democracy we signed up for.”
In response to these events, Prof Opoku-Agyemang argued, “Today’s arrest of the small band of protesters – mostly young, non-threatening people – is unnecessary and undemocratic.” According to her, the police were to engage with the protesters, listen to their grievances, and guide them appropriately, rather than resorting to intimidation and arrests. “I join all well-meaning Ghanaians to demand their immediate release from custody,” she said.
Source: Prince Adu-Owusu
