The Ghana Police Service has refuted claims that its officers injured any demonstrators during the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) nationwide ‘Enough is Enough’ demonstration.
In a statement issued, the police firmly denied reports of a shooting incident at the Kumasi office of the Electoral Commission (EC), clarifying that no protestor had sustained injuries.
“There has been no shooting incident at the Kumasi office of the Electoral Commission and no demonstrator has been injured by the Police,” the statement emphasized. The police explained that while some demonstrators attempted to breach an agreed-upon arrangement by forcibly entering the EC’s Kumasi office compound, officers took necessary actions to restrain them. The police also urged the media to report responsibly and avoid spreading false information that could mislead the public.
The NDC’s ‘Enough is Enough’ demonstration, which has been unfolding across the country, saw tensions rise in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region. Protestors clashed with police officers, leading to the arrest of one individual. Protestors reportedly forced their way into the Electoral Commission office in Kumasi, damaging property, including the destruction of some doors.
Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NDC, who was part of the protest, claimed to have been slapped by a police officer during the scuffle. However, the police have yet to address this allegation directly.
Ahead of the demonstration, the Ghana Police Service had issued clear guidelines for the protestors, urging them to adhere to designated routes and timelines to ensure a peaceful demonstration. The police assured the public of their commitment to maintaining law and order during the nationwide protest.
To this end, law enforcement officers have taken up strategic positions across the country, particularly in high-traffic areas such as Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra, where a human barricade has been set up to control the crowds and ensure public safety.
The ongoing protest by the NDC is part of the party’s demand for a forensic audit of the 2024 voters’ register. The opposition party insists that such an audit is necessary to ensure transparency and fairness in the upcoming general elections. As the protest continues, the party’s leadership, including Deputy General Secretary Mustapha Gbande, has urged demonstrators to conduct themselves responsibly. “The NDC will not tolerate any disruptive behavior during the protests,” Gbande warned.
The ‘Enough is Enough’ demonstration has sparked widespread activity across the country, with protestors calling for reforms within the electoral system, particularly with regards to the voters’ register.