The Ghana Police Service has reiterated that there exists no recorded proof of any physical assault or misconduct against the participants involved in the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protests who were subjected to unauthorized arrests on Thursday, September 21.
Addressing the accusations of impropriety, the police authorities have issued an appeal, urging anyone possessing contradictory evidence to step forward, facilitating a comprehensive inquiry into the matter.
“It was established at the meeting that there is no evidence or reported case of assault against the demonstrators according to police records, therefore, anyone with evidence to the contrary should provide it for investigation,” the police said.
The police made this declaration through an official statement issued on Friday, September 22, following a reported meeting with representatives from Democracy Hub, the organizers behind the planned protest at the government’s headquarters.
The meeting, reportedly initiated at the request of Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, was designed to facilitate a platform for constructive dialogue between law enforcement and the protest organizers.
In their statement, the police reiterated their steadfast commitment to enabling peaceful demonstrations, citing their history of ensuring security at such gatherings within the country. However, in the case of the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protests, their chief concern centered on the chosen location for the demonstration, which happened to be the Jubilee House, a high-security zone.
The statement, signed by the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, reported, “The meeting concluded with an assurance from the leaders of Democracy Hub that they will engage in discussions with their members to reach a compromise regarding the demonstration’s venue. They have committed to conveying this decision back to the police.”
Furthermore, the police disclosed that the protest organizers pledged to encourage their members to refrain from protesting on the streets while awaiting either a mutual agreement with the police regarding an alternative venue or a legal resolution of the matter through the court system.
Read statement