The group OCCUPYGHANA have condemned the mass arrests of demonstrators that took place on Thursday.
A release from the group with reference ‘OG/2023/023’ stated that in a democratic society, they firmly uphold the belief that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental pillar of freedoms of expression and assembly.
“These rights, enshrined in the Constitution, should be unwaveringly upheld and respected by all state institutions,” the group stated.
The release was dated in Accra on 22 September, 2023 and titled ‘OCCUPYGHANA CONDEMNS ARRESTS OF PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATORS’.
Meanwhile the Ghana Police Service has apologized to the ‘public’ for any inconvenience, whilst inviting the leadership of the group to a ‘debriefing’.
The Police Sunday apologized for the inconveniences experienced by the public during the three-day ‘Occupy Jubilee House’ protest organized by the Democracy Hub Group in Accra.
“The Police would like to apologise to members of the public who were inconvenienced in one way or the other, especially those who were caught up in the vehicular holdups during the demonstration,” a statement issued by the Police on Sunday said.
The statement, signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Director, Public Affairs, commended the residents of Accra for their support and understanding, while the police kept law and order during the protest.
Democracy Hub, a pressure group, embarked on a three-day protest to march on the Jubilee House, the seat of government, on Thursday, September 21, 2023, to express dissatisfaction with the country’s current economic predicament and high cost of living.
However, on the first day of the protest, 49 of them were arrested for unlawful assembly and violating the Public Order Act.
The group continued the protest the next day but were again prevented from proceeding to the Jubilee House by police.
According to the statement, the police were looking forward to meeting with the protest organisers after the event for a “debriefing session” that would foster constructive future interactions.
It assured the public that the Service was not opposed to any individual or group who wished to demonstrate.
The police said it had a history of providing security for protesters and would continue to do so within the confines of the law.
The statement urged the public to continue to partner with the police to maintain and strengthen Ghana’s democratic credentials, peace, and security.
(Below is the full press release from the group).
OCCUPYGHANA PRESS STATEMENT
Accra, 22 September 2023
OCCUPYGHANA CONDEMNS ARRESTS OF PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATORS
OccupyGhana, in resolute advocacy for good governance, the rule of law, and the protection of civil liberties, strongly voices its concerns regarding the recent arrests of peaceful demonstrators by the Ghana Police on a public holiday, who were subsequently reported to be ‘processed’ for unlawful public gathering.
In a democratic society, we firmly uphold the belief that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental pillar of freedoms of expression and assembly. These rights, enshrined in the Constitution, should be unwaveringly upheld and respected by all state institutions.
The recent arrests have raised serious questions about the appropriateness of the response by law enforcement agencies. Instead of opting for peaceful dialogue and cooperation with the demonstrators, the police chose to resort to arrests. It is important to note that these arrests took place during a time when potential traffic disruptions would have been minimal. OccupyGhana firmly asserts that alternative, less confrontational approaches could and should have been pursued to effectively manage the situation.
Furthermore, we are reliably informed that there was no court injunction served to the demonstrators, indicating that their right to protest remained fully protected under the law.
About 30 years ago, the Supreme Court held in NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY v INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE, in relation to the fundamental freedom of assembly including the freedom to take part in processions and demonstrations, that provisions in the erstwhile Public Order Decree that required a prior police permit to demonstrate were inconsistent with the current Constitution. The situation where the statutory requirement to now notify and cooperate with the police is being interpreted, applied and enforced as a de facto permit to demonstrate is unconstitutional and must give way to a more nuanced, liberal and permissive understanding of the constitutional rights of citizens to peacefully assemble and express their views.
We are informed that those who were arrested (which should not have happened in the first place) have now been released, which is a positive development.
OccupyGhana implores the Ghana Police to uphold the rule of law and show due respect for the constitutional rights of all citizens. We call for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding these arrests to ensure justice is served and the rights of peaceful demonstrators are diligently safeguarded.
In the interest of nurturing a democratic society where dissenting voices are not merely tolerated but celebrated and respected, we call upon all stakeholders, including the Ghana Police Service and the government, to engage constructively with citizens exercising their constitutional rights. Together, let us ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future.
Our firm commitment remains rooted in our mission to advocate for transparency, accountability and the unwavering protection of civil liberties in Ghana.
In the interest of God and Country.
