The Ghana Police Service has clarified certain issues and statements regarding the arrest and detention of Democracy Hub protesters on September 22 and 23, 2024.
The arrested protesters aimed to demand an end to galamsey activities in the country and to protest against the poor governance and hardships under the ruling government.
The three-day protest, themed #OccupyJulorbiHouse and #StopGalamsey, took a different turn on the second day when protesters blocked roads around the 37 intersection in Accra, obstructing traffic.
They removed police blockades, burned party paraphernalia, and took keys from a police van in an attempt to prevent the police from towing away their food truck.
Among the arrested protesters were an alleged pregnant woman, a child together with her grandmother, and a diabetic patient.
However, a new statement released by the police dated September 26, 2024, and signed by Grace Ansah-Akrofi, the Assistant Commissioner of Police and Director of Public Affairs has brought clarity on some of the issues raised.
Here’s a breakdown of the police statement below:
Pregnant woman
There was outrage on social media over the arrest of a pregnant lady among the protesters, named Gloria Vera Louise, with human rights institutions calling for her release.
According to some Ghanaians, Vera Louise was 4 months pregnant but was denied bail and remanded for 2 weeks into police custody.
Debunking those claims, the Ghana Police in their statement stated that a pregnancy test conducted twice on Vera turned out negative, suggesting she is not pregnant.
“In the case of the alleged pregnant woman, Gloria Vera Louise, We would like to clarify that at the time of the arrest, there was no visible indication that she was pregnant. Additionally, at no point during the arrest or subsequent interactions did the said suspect inform the Police of a pregnancy. Again, there was no communication to the court of any such condition, either by herself or through her lawyers.
“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,” the statement said.
Arrest of minor
The police have further clarified concerns raised surrounding the arrest of a minor and an old woman.
According to the police, reports claiming they arrested a 12-year-old child and a 68-year-old woman are false.
The statement explained that the said old woman is 50-years-old and not 68-years-old as speculated.
Additionally, the police granted an enquiry bail to the woman due to the presence of the child and were allowed to go home.
She has been charged with the offence of exposing a child to danger.
“Following the arrests, the attention of the Ghana Police Service has been drawn to reports suggesting that a 12-year-old child, a 68-year-old woman, and a pregnant woman were among those arrested and detained. We would like to categorically state that all these are false. We, therefore, urge the public to disregard these reports and treat them with the contempt they deserve.
“In the case of the 12-year-old child and the 68-year-old woman, in the course of the arrest, Police realized that one of the suspects, Grace Asantewaa, a 50-year- old woman, who is being reported as a 68-year-old, had a child with her. In order not to separate the child from the woman, the child was allowed to accompany her to the Police Station.
“At the Police Station, Police provided the child with food and for the sake of the child, her guardian, Grace Asantewaa, was granted a Police enquiry bail and allowed to go home with the child,” the statement explained.
Investigate over 48hours detention of two protesters
The police said they have launched investigations into circumstances under which two of the protesters were kept in police custody beyond 48 hours without being sent to court.
“As part of our efforts to be transparent, and maintain high ethical and professional standards, the Police Administration has directed the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB, formerly PIPS) to investigate the circumstances under which two of the suspects were kept in Police custody beyond 48 hours without being sent to court, for necessary disciplinary action to be taken against those responsible.”
The police statement, however, failed to address claims that protesters were starved for 48 hours after their arrest, as well as allegations that a diabetic patient was arrested and denied medical treatment.
Read the full statement below:
𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄:
𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 (𝟕) 𝐎𝐍 𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐁𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐘 𝐇𝐔𝐁 pic.twitter.com/hnf2t28zCW
— Ghana Police Service (@GhPoliceService) September 26, 2024
Source: Ghanaweb