Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has recognized the validity of the demands presented by the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protesters, noting that their concerns cannot be disregarded.
The recently elected flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) affirmed that the government is actively considering these matters and has been dedicated to addressing them.
In his victory speech on Saturday, November 4, Dr. Bawumia urged the youth to work in partnership with the government to alleviate the challenges faced by the people of Ghana.
“While on the campaign, I became aware of a 3-day demonstration staged by the young people of our country. They had a simple message for the political class: they needed more opportunities for work, they needed improved living conditions, and they wanted improved public services. These are legitimate demands and we cannot ignore them. We will continue to work hard for the people of Ghana.”
“I have spent the last seven years working alongside the President to fulfill many of these demands, including creating opportunities for the youth, improving the well-being of our people, expanding access to secondary education and healthcare, enhancing the country’s road infrastructure, streamlining access to public services, and leveraging technology for development.”
The #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest occurred from Thursday, September 21 to Saturday, September 23, 2023, as demonstrators voiced their concerns about various issues in the country.
The protesters specifically expressed their discontent with the government’s economic policies and raised allegations of corruption. During the protests, over 50 of their members were apprehended by the police.
The incident incited public anger as many Ghanaians criticized the police for employing excessive force against unarmed civilians.
Organisers of the #OccupyJulorBiHouse protest, Democracy Hub, led by Oliver Barker-Vormawor have successfully ended their three-day protest which commenced on Thursday, September 21, 2023.
The aim of the protest is to compel the government to address the current economic hardships Ghanaians are facing under the current Akufo-Addo-led government.
On Day 1 of the demonstration, protestors were not able to do much as 49 individuals within the vicinity of the Jubilee House and the 37 Military Hospital area were arrested by the Police for unlawful assembly, which the Police said violated the Public Order Act.
— The Thunder GH News | Truth Without Fear or Favour (@TheThunderGh) September 21, 2023
This action followed an application filed by the Police at the court on the eve of the protest to halt the demonstration.
Following the arrest, reports of assault against the protestors, including Ghanaian journalist, Bridget Otoo emerged on social media, with many citizens calling for calm. Among those reportedly arrested were a BBC journalist and his cameraman. Several artistes such as Cina Soul and KiDi showed solidarity as they sided with the protestors.
This is how Bridget Otoo was badly attacked and pushed inside during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest by the Police. #INDNews#INDViral Kudus | Resign | Kidi | Gabby | Yvonne Nelson | Bawumia | Christian Council | Ghana Police pic.twitter.com/2Y4HrguqRz
But the police in a press statement, refuted the claim, noting that its officers had not detained a male journalist with the BBC.
The Police clarified that two individuals who were among a group picked up were let go after they identified themselves as journalists.
24 hours later, after the arrest, there were reports that some protestors who were detained had been released. Media reports were not able to provide the specific number of protestors released.
Following the challenges faced during the first day of the protest, it was expected that many would not show up for Day 2 of the protest, but that was not the case.
On Friday, September 22, more individuals trooped to the streets including artistes such as EL, KelvnBoy, and socialite Efia Odo. They encouraged other celebrities to join the protestors and call for the immediate fixing of the economy.
On Day 2 of the protest, the Police formed a human barricade to prevent the protestors from marching to the Jubilee House.
The protestors, while in the rain, responded by chanting the lyrics of the Ghana national anthem, assuring the government of the youth’s determination to ensure their challenges are resolved.
We need to put NPP and NDC aside and put our motherland Ghana first!
They held placards with inscriptions that compared Ghana’s minimum wage of GHS14.88 to services such as haircuts, which cost GHS30, and prices of goods, including a sanitary pad and a loaf of bread, which averagely cost GHS15.
There were no arrests or casualties reported on the second day of the protest.
On Saturday, September 23, many more Ghanaians came out to protest. Just like on Day 2 of the protest, the Police prevented the demonstrators from heading to the Jubilee House.
More celebrities showed up to register their displeasure with the government. Dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy thrilled the protestors to some of his hit songs.
#OccupyJulorbiHouse: For the past three days, protestors in Ghana have rallied against Pres. AKUFO-ADDO’s economic incompetence. PRES. AKUFO-ADDO = TOAST.pic.twitter.com/OFYZcVONkh
Day 3 ended without any casualties, bringing the 3-day protest to a successful end.
Following the protest, the Police Management Board (POMAB) has summoned COP Sayibu Gariba, the Accra Regional Police Commander, to provide explanations regarding the use of excessive force against participants in the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest.
Again, the Police has expressed gratitude to members of the public, especially those in Accra, for their support and understanding while we worked within our mandate to maintain law and order during the demonstration.
The Service has also apologized 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.
Meanwhile, the Police has announced plans to meet with the organizers of the protest for a debriefing session with the aim of fostering a more fruitful engagement in the future.
The government has criticized the organizers of the OccupyJulorbiHouse protests, branding them as ineffective due to their failure to submit a petition detailing their grievances.
In an interview with Citi News, Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana, the Member of Parliament for Gushegu and Deputy Minister of Transport, stated that he had been appointed by the government to receive the petition from the Democracy Hub group.
Nevertheless, he expressed disappointment that the group did not present any concerns during the protest.
“It became very necessary for us to meet them. At some point, I was told for instance that all of them wanted to come. So we said okay we will move to where you are if you just want to present a petition. I will move under escort to wherever they were.
“That was when I was told that actually there was no petition. So it is like a right that has been exercised but the point hasn’t been drummed home. So the leadership actually failed.”
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Accra for three days of anti-government protests related to economic hardship, resulting in dozens of arrests on the first day.
Protesters, some holding signs or the Ghanaian flag, expressed their concerns about the high cost of living and a lack of employment opportunities as they marched under the watchful eye of riot police.
Ghana, a nation known for its gold, oil, and cocoa production, has been grappling with its most severe economic crisis in a generation, largely caused by skyrocketing public debt.
The protest persisted despite the police’s attempt to secure an injunction on Wednesday, September 20, preventing the Democracy Hub group from proceeding with their planned protest.
Despite the police’s orders, the group leaders insisted on moving forward with the protest. On Thursday, September 21, the police prevented the group from assembling at Jubilee House, resulting in the arrest of 49 Democracy Hub members.
Undeterred, the group continued their protest on Friday and Saturday, but the police blocked their attempts to march to Jubilee House.
Social media influencer and aspiring lawyer, Elorm Ama Ababio, widely recognized as Ama Governor, has publicly acknowledged her queer sexuality for the first time.
Her sexual orientation played a role in her not being called to the bar last year. A petition was submitted to the General Legal Council (GLC) by an anonymous “concerned citizen” who argued that her actions were inappropriate for an aspiring lawyer.
It’s worth noting that LGBTQ individuals and activities face disapproval from a significant portion of Ghanaian society due to deep-rooted cultural beliefs.
Despite successfully passing the bar exams, it appears that the petition had an impact, leading to the removal of Elorm Ama Ababio’s name from the list of individuals scheduled to be called to the bar in 2022 by the General Legal Council (GLC).
Her situation sparked public outrage, with many asserting that she had been treated unfairly.
More recently, Ama Governor has been granted the opportunity to undergo the application process to be called to the bar during the October/November 2023 session.
Addressing the matter during the OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstrations held on September 23, 2023, she maintained that she had not been treated fairly by the GLC. She argued that, especially considering her strong defense and the refutation of the allegations made by the anonymous “concerned citizen,” she deserved to be called to the bar.
She emphasized that only one of the allegations made by the petitioner was accurate, and even that should not have been sufficient grounds to prevent her from pursuing a legal career.
“And the last one is the fact of my sexuality that I sleep with women. I said that is not a lie; I do sleep with women, that is a fact. But it is not grounds for me to not be called to the bar, and that is it…
“My sexuality, I am queer, I am pansexual; yes, I sleep with women, but it is not a ground upon which you can say I am not fit to be called to the bar, and that was our defence, and we won,” she told a Joy News journalist covering the demonstration.
A BBC reporter in Accra, Thomas Naadi, confirmed that he and his cameraman were arrested by police during day 1 of the OccupyJulorbiHouse demo.
“I was among some members of the media who were also detained, but we were later released at the central police station,” he wrote in a report to the Africa LIVE page on Friday.
Naadi reiterated that he was among the journalists who were detained by police in a later report for Focus on Africa TV.
He stated once more that 49 people were wrongfully detained on September 21; all of them were later released on bail, and he continued, “Some journalists were also detained. I was among those who were arrested.”
On the day that Naadi was allegedly arrested, the Ghana Police Service issued a lengthy statement regarding the reports.
The service’s head of public affairs issued a statement claiming that the rumours were untrue.
“The attention of the police has been drawn to an erroneous report by a section of the media that a BBC reporter and his camera have been arrested.
“The police would like to put on record that the report is false and should be disregarded,” the statement said.
The police have clarified that among the individuals who were apprehended, two were identified as journalists and were promptly released.
The Police Service has reiterated its dedication to maintaining security, enforcing the law, and preserving order while carrying out its responsibilities.
Consequently, the public is encouraged to exercise caution when disseminating unverified or inaccurate information.
“The facts are that in dispersing the illegal demonstrators, a group of them were picked up and sent to the police station. During their screening process, two people who identified themselves as journalists were immediately allowed to go.
“While we assure the public of our commitment to work with all stakeholders in our quest to ensure security law and order, we want to urge all other stakeholders to be circumspect in the discharge of their responsibilities since they have implications on the image and reputation of other stakeholders,” the statement by the police added.
Members of the political pressure organization, Democracy Hub, have congregated at the 37 Trotro station on Saturday, marking the commencement of their third and final day of the OccupyJulorbiHouse demo.
Their demonstration aims to spotlight the government’s perceived mishandling of the economy, which has resulted in hardships for the Ghanaian populace.
To maintain order during the protest, a substantial contingent of police personnel is stationed in the 37 enclave. Notably, several prominent celebrities have also joined the demonstrators in their cause.
On the preceding day of the protest, the police cordoned off the march towards the Jubilee House, preventing the protesters from advancing. During this event, certain Ghanaian celebrities participating in the protest were observed sitting on the ground, symbolizing their discontent.
Thursday’s protest saw the arrest of 49 individuals from the Democracy Hub group, including a BBC reporter and cameraman. Metro TV’s Bridget Otoo also experienced an altercation with the police.
Democracy Hub has been vocal in its criticism of the government, conducting a series of demonstrations with the overarching demand for the implementation of effective measures to alleviate the hardships experienced by Ghanaians.
On Friday, representatives of the Democracy Hub group engaged in a dialogue with the Police Service to address concerns related to the nature of their planned demonstration at the Jubilee House. In a statement issued on Friday, the police described the meeting as conducted in an amicable manner. The group’s leaders pledged to engage their members in discussions to reach a possible compromise regarding the protest venue and subsequently communicate their decision to the police.
Moreover, they assured the police that they would encourage their members to vacate the streets while awaiting either a consensus between the police and the demonstrators on an alternative location or a resolution of the matter through legal channels.
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.
A Pan-Africanist who actively participated in the #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration found himself in police custody while in the midst of granting a live interview on national television.
This individual, who chose to be identified solely as ‘Safani,’ was in the midst of conducting an interview with the media at the 37 Lorry Station in Accra when a group of police officers suddenly disrupted the interview, detaining him without providing any formal explanation for their actions.
The arrest was captured on video and swiftly circulated across various social media platforms. Following his apprehension, Safani was placed on a bus alongside other protestors who had been earlier apprehended.
These events transpired against the backdrop of the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest, which had been organized by Democracy Hub but faced a significant setback due to the series of arrests.
These incidents unfolded after the protestors decided not to comply with a police injunction issued merely one day before the scheduled demonstration.
Democracy Hub emphasised that they had not been officially served with the court order, which led to their decision to proceed with their peaceful march.
The arrested protestors have since been transported to the Greater Accra Region Police Headquarters near Tudu, further intensifying the ongoing developments surrounding the protest.
The Ghana Police Service has initiated the process of arresting numerous protesters who were intending to take part in an anti-government demonstration called #OccupyJulorbiHouse.
This action follows the police’s denial of allegations that they had not effectively served an injunction application to the organizers of the protest, Democracy Hub.
Reportedly, a number of police officers—over 400 of them—are currently arresting the protesters and transporting them to the Accra Regional Headquarters of the police.
For further updates on this situation, please refer below.
📍These guys came out with horses and rifles like this is a civil war. All this to stop people from peacefully protesting about the bad economic conditions they’re being made to live through. You can’t make this up.#OccupyJulorbiHousepic.twitter.com/Dlu1qMgvmP
