Mali’s ruling military government has announced the indefinite suspension of all political activities, including those of parties and civic organisations, citing “reasons of public order.”
The decision, formalised in a decree signed on Wednesday by transitional president General Assimi Goita, comes amid growing unrest and criticism of the junta’s extended hold on power.
The announcement follows a rare pro-democracy protest held in the capital, Bamako, last weekend, during which hundreds of demonstrators defied warnings from the authorities to express opposition to a proposed bill that seeks to dissolve all political parties.
“I’m not surprised, I expected this because this is their way of preventing us from carrying out our activities, but we will continue to defend democracy in Mali,” said protest leader Cheick Oumar Doumbia.
A broader movement, consisting of political parties, civil society leaders, and labour organisations, has been calling for “a rapid and credible return to constitutional order through the organisation of transparent, inclusive, and peaceful elections.”
The junta had originally pledged to hold elections in February 2022. However, the timeline has shifted multiple times, raising concerns about the transitional government’s intentions.
This is not the first instance of political suppression ahead of key decisions. In April 2024, the government similarly halted political activity in advance of an “inter-Malian dialogue,” which eventually recommended extending the transition period from two to five years.
Meanwhile, Mali, along with Burkina Faso and Niger, formed the Alliance of Sahel States in 2023 after collectively withdrawing from ECOWAS. The move has been interpreted by analysts as an effort to legitimise the military regimes in the face of sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
All three countries have also distanced themselves from France, their former colonial power, choosing instead to strengthen ties with Russia.
Security threats continue to mount in Mali, as armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State escalate attacks — a crisis that has plagued the country for over a decade.
Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, together with the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious, Ghana, and Catholic Lay Faithful and Professionals, will spearhead an EnvironmentalPrayer Walk Against Galamseyon Friday, October 11, 2024.
In a press release on October 4, the church emphasised the walk’s purpose: to highlight the devastating impact of illegal mining in Ghana and urge swift government intervention to stop it.
The demonstration seeks to press for a state of emergency on mining operations, particularly in areas surrounding rivers, water bodies, and forests.
Through this action, organisers hope to push for stronger measures to halt environmental damage caused by galamsey and encourage sustainable development practices for future generations.
The protest will begin at Holy Spirit Cathedral in Adabraka at 10:00 am, with participants marching through key Accra locations like Castle Road, Ridge Roundabout, Parliament House, and Oxford Street, culminating at Christ the King Parish in Cantonments.
A petition is set to be delivered to President Akufo-Addo at Jubilee House during the event, calling for urgent action to tackle the galamsey crisis.
The Catholic Church has extended an open invitation to all Ghanaians—Catholics, Christians of other denominations, Muslims, traditional leaders, civil society groups, environmentalists, and the public—to participate in the peaceful protest.
Organizers emphasised that the demonstration goes beyond prayer; it is also a call for prompt, effective measures to end illegal mining, safeguard the environment, and restore the nation’s natural resources.
Thirty-nine Democracy Hub protestors who were arrested for engaging in various acts of lawlessness at the 37 Intersection in Accra on September 22nd and 23rd, were brought before the court on September 24th, 2024.
The arrests stem from protests organized by the Democracy Hub, which drew significant public attention due to the disturbances caused in the area.
The court has remanded 28 of the accused persons into Police custody, while 11 others were remanded into Prison custody. The legal proceedings are being spearheaded by the Office of the Attorney-General.
Out of the total, 30 of the accused are set to reappear before the court on October 8, 2024, while the remaining 9 protestors are scheduled to be arraigned on October 11, 2024.
Authorities have indicated that the remaining suspects involved in the protests will be brought before the court to face justice. The crackdown on the protestors has sparked mixed reactions, with some calling for stricter enforcement of the law, while others argue for the protection of the right to peaceful assembly.
The protests by the Democracy Hub aimed to highlight concerns over the activities of illegal miners laying waste to the country’s environment, but the incidents of lawlessness that ensued have now led to multiple legal actions against the participants.
Several protestors arrested during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration over the weekend appeared in court today under heavy security presence in a bus.
The arrests occurred during the three-day protest at the 37 Roundabout, where demonstrators expressed their grievances over issues such as illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) and economic mismanagement.
The Ghana Police Service on Sunday, 22nd September 2024, arrested 42 individuals among the Democracy Hub demonstrators for engaging in various acts of lawlessness at the 37 Intersection in Accra.
Among those arrested was lawyer and social media influencer Ama Governor. As she was being escorted to the courtroom, she could be heard saying, “You want to see a 26-year-old lawyer in handcuffs because she said Stop Galamsey Now. 48 hours no lawyer, 48 hours no food, no water. Over 48 hours, you all should be proud. These people are ridiculous. Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery.”
In court, the demonstrators were charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, specifically unlawful assembly. Lawyers for the protestors have stated that they were not informed of the specific reasons for their arrests.
Earlier, the legal team representing the protestors expressed their frustration, revealing that they were still struggling to locate all 46 individuals who had been detained.
Prince Ganaku, a member of the Protest Defense, mentioned that they are still seeking information regarding the whereabouts of all the protestors. He suggested that the police may be attempting to prolong the detention of those arrested.
Mr. Ganaku further explained that the lawyers had requested information from the police regarding the court where the Democracy Hub detainees would be arraigned to allow them to prepare a defense. However, the police failed to provide any information.
Scores of residents from Gyetiase and Tadiaso, communities in the Sekyere Central District of the Ashanti Region, have taken to the streets in protest over the poor state of their roads, accusing successive governments of neglecting their infrastructure needs.
The residents, mostly from farming communities, expressed frustration at their inability to access healthcare services in Asante Mampong and Nsuta due to the deplorable road conditions.
According to the protesters, teachers and healthcare workers have frequently refused postings to their communities, citing the poor road network as a major deterrent.
These grievances come at a time when the government is rolling out its District Road Improvement Programme, aimed at upgrading deteriorating roads in local communities. However, the people of Gyetiase and Tadiaso say they are yet to benefit from this initiative.
In a bold statement, the protesters warned that they would boycott the upcoming December 7 elections and prevent any electoral activities in their communities unless the roads are fixed.
“What we are saying is that the people of Gyetiase and communities are tired of bad roads. Our roads have been unconstructed and untilled since Ghana’s independence in 1957, so we are tired, we have had to put up with bad roads all this while,” said Prince Dwomoh, one of the leaders of the protest, in an interview with Channel One News.
Dwomoh also lamented the apparent neglect of their communities, despite other areas witnessing infrastructure improvements.
“We are all in this country and we are well aware of a number of roads being constructed by the government of Ghana. In fact, we praised the government for a lot of developmental projects being carried out. But we, the people of Gyetiase and Tadiaso, are not seeing anything here. We are part of Ghana, so we are demanding our share of the national cake.”
He reiterated the community’s demand for immediate action: “That is what we are saying, so the government should come to our aid and construct our road for us. Other than that, we shall not take part in the 2024 elections.”
The protesters also pointed out that they had informed all the relevant local leaders, including the District Chief Executive, Member of Parliament, and Assembly Member, but no action has been taken to address their concerns.
“All the top people there, the DCE, the MP, the assembly member, they are all well aware of our situation, so we have informed them,” Dwomoh added.
Tensions flared in Kumasi during the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) ongoing ‘Enough is Enough’ nationwide demonstration, leading to the arrest of a protestor following a violent clash between demonstrators and the police.
The incident occurred after protestors reportedly broke into the Electoral Commission’s office in Kumasi, damaging several doors in the process.
According to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NDC, he was physically assaulted by a police officer amid the chaos. This confrontation is part of wider unrest across parts of the country as the NDC protests intensify.
The Ghana Police Service had earlier issued specific guidelines for the protest, cautioning demonstrators to adhere to the designated routes and timelines provided. In response to the escalating tension, the police have taken strategic positions in key locations nationwide to prevent further disruption, with a particular focus on Accra’s Kwame Nkrumah Circle, where a human barricade has been set up to maintain order.
The Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Mustapha Gbande, reiterated the party’s call for peaceful protests, warning participants that any disruptive behaviour would not be tolerated. His statement was intended to prevent the violence that has erupted in some areas.
The nationwide demonstration, organized by the NDC, aims to pressure the Electoral Commission to conduct a forensic audit of the 2024 voters’ register, a demand the opposition party believes is critical for ensuring a free and fair election.
The Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, addressing the demonstrators in Accra, emphasized the importance of the audit, stating that it is necessary to address irregularities in the voters’ register to uphold the credibility of the upcoming elections. He also revealed that the NDC is considering recalling Parliament to push for this demand.
As the protests continue, the situation in Kumasi remains tense, with security forces on high alert to prevent further escalations.
Residents of Kpone Barrier-Dawhenya have threatened to stage a protest against the government over stalled works on the expansion of the 17-kilometre-long Tema to Central University section of the N1 Highway.
According to them, their demonstration will span 20 days in order for their ordeal to register in the minds of those in authority.
Residents say the daily traffic congestion they have been compelled to grapple with due to construction works on the stretch is no longer bearable.
“I have stopped my work. We have to start our day around 3:30 am just to get them ready, send them to school before you go to work and so I gave up,” an aggrieved resident bemoaned.
Residents, motorists, and business owners along the Kpone Barrier to Dawhenya stretch of the main Accra – Aflao road issued a similar threat in June of last year.
The government in June 2022 commenced the expansion of the 17-kilometre-long Tema to Central University section of the N1 Highway.
This followed the signing of a $100m contract with a UK-based construction firm BHM on September 25, 2020, for the design and construction of 17 kilometres Tema – Aflao phase 1 project. Four years on, residents and motorists say their lives are being negatively impacted due to the slow pace of work.
Some appreciable level of work has been done on all four intersections and storm drains. However, a drive through the stretch shows work on some of the sites has stalled with some construction machines lying idle at Savana Junction.
Kpone Barrier – Dawhenya traffic: Aggrieved residents mobilizing on social media to stage a 20-day demonstration.#JoyNewspic.twitter.com/aDaulMX2Nn
Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK, Papa Owusu Ankomah, has noted that the Ghanaian community in the UK remains largely unscathed by the recent protests that erupted late last month.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr. Ankomah reassured that the Ghanaian community has not experienced significant harm amidst the disturbances.
“Except for one incident where a Ghanaian reported being threatened while taking a bus, there have been no reports of any untoward incidents affecting Ghanaians in the UK,” the High Commissioner confirmed.
Efforts are being made to ensure the continued safety of the Ghanaian community, Mr. Ankomah stated. “Even as of this morning, our officers are calling around the country, speaking with the leadership of the Ghanaian communities, asking for updates and urging them to encourage Ghanaians in the UK to try and be indoors by 7 pm.”
The protests, fueled by an anti-immigrant misinformation campaign, broke out following a tragic stabbing attack in Southport, northern England, which resulted in the deaths of three children.
On Tuesday, the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service announced that approximately 100 individuals have been charged in connection with the violent unrest that ensued. The protests, which began as anti-immigration marches, quickly devolved into disorder and violence.
He also noted that Ghanaians have been advised to stay indoors at night and avoid areas where protests are anticipated.
With the community’s safety being a priority, the High Commission continues to monitor the situation closely and remains in constant communication with local Ghanaian leaders to provide support and updates.
An International Diplomatic Consultant, Farouk Al-Wahab, is of the view that Ghana can not experience the intense and chaotic demonstrations happening in some African countries.
In recent times, Kenya and Nigeria have seen citizens march the streets to protest against bad governance. These protests have seen demonstrators clash with security services leading to the death of some individuals with dozens sustaining injuries.
According to Al-Wahab, such kind of protests cannot take place in Ghana due to the absence of the youth. He also noted that the partisan politics in the country would deter such protests from happening.
Speaking on Oman FM, he said, “There is no youth in Ghana. We have mature adults. The mature adults are divided in two political settings. NPP adults and NDC adults. An unemployed NPP youth would rather prefer to keep it that way than join the opposing side and vice versa.”
What is going on in Nigeria and Kenya will never happen in Ghana because there are no youth in this country. – Farouk Al-Wahab (International Diplomatic Consultant) #OnuaFM#YɛnNsɛmpapic.twitter.com/FDqrHdbgw9
Governments in the states of Kano, Jigawa, Yobe and Katsina have ordered locals not to leave their homes – and therefore not attend protests – on Friday.
The authorities say the curfew is necessary because “hoodlums” have hijacked the protests in order to loot and vandalise properties.
There is a heavy security presence around the country with nine more “days of rage” scheduled by the movement’s organisers.
On the first day, demonstrations in the northern city of Kano drew the largest crowds.
Police fired live bullets and tear gas – and sprayed hot water – to try and disperse thousands of demonstrators. Three people were shot dead and many others were injured.
Looters also broke into a warehouse near the Kano governor’s house and police say 269 people have since been arrested with the recovery of many 25-litre groundnut oil cartons and other items taken.
According to rights group Amnesty International, 13 protesters across Nigeria were killed by security forces on the first day of the protests.
A curfew has been enacted in Kano, Nigeria’s second-largest state, following protests against the rising cost of living that were overtaken by criminals who engaged in extensive looting and property damage, according to the governor’s office.
Kano experienced the largest demonstrations on the initial day of nationwide protests, leading to the closure of many businesses.
In cities across the country, protesters took to the streets, chanting phrases like “We are hungry.”
In response, police deployed live ammunition, tear gas, and hot water to disperse the crowds in Kano city, resulting in four individuals being injured and hospitalized.
Earlier, protesters had burned tires to create a bonfire outside the residence of state governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Additionally, looters raided a nearby warehouse, with people seen removing large cartons of cooking oil and mattresses.
Many people in Kano were seen with the big yellow cartons that contain vegetable cooking oil
The curfew effectively prevents further protests, mandating that all residents stay at home.
According to the last census conducted in 2006, Kano state’s population was recorded at 9.4 million, though unofficial estimates now suggest it has grown to approximately 20 million.
The 10-day protests, organized through social media, were motivated by the recent success of Kenyan demonstrators who pressured the government into canceling proposed tax hikes.
Mr Yusuf’s spokesman said the protests were peaceful in Kano, but the governor was forced to declare a curfew to “restore order and ensure the safety of our communities” because of “rampant looting, destruction of property and violence” unleashed by “thugs”.
On Wednesday evening, a court directed that protesters in the capital, Abuja, must confine their activities to the National Stadium, situated on the edge of the city.
But after gathering at the stadium’s gate on Thursday morning, the demonstrators – who have also been shouting the refrain “End bad governance” – began heading into the city centre.
This led the police to deploy tear gas canisters in an attempt to halt the procession, which disrupted traffic.
Security forces were stationed at key locations throughout the capital, including areas where banks have shut down, as well as in neighboring towns.
In Lagos, Nigeria’s economic center, protesters chanted “ole,” meaning “thief” in Yoruba, targeting President Bola Tinubu and his administration.
Many are infuriated by President Tinubu’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy, which he announced with immediate effect during his inauguration in May 2023.
The move, intended to reduce government spending, caused a surge in fuel prices and triggered a rise in the cost of other goods.
“Top on our demand is the subsidy removal. The government should reverse that decision,” Abuja protester Abiodun Sanusi told the BBC.
They also want the government to carry out wide-ranging reforms to the country’s electoral system and the judiciary.
Simi Jolaoso / BBC
You can’t beat a baby and ask the baby not to cry”
Before this so-called “day of rage”, the government appealed to Nigerians not to take to the streets and give the president time for policies to bear fruit.
But Lagos protester Kingsley Uadiale dismissed this saying, “Hunger is the reason why we’re all here. You can’t beat a baby and ask the baby not to cry.”
If the Tinubu administration wanted patience then, he said, they should lead by example.
“You can’t tell us to be patient and you’re acquiring a private jet,” he said, citing plans to buy new planes worth millions of dollars for Mr Tinubu and his deputy Kashim Shettima.
Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka, an activist also protesting in Lagos, said the aim of the demonstration was to get the price hikes on essential commodities reversed.
“If they don’t yield, we will continue to protest,” she told the BBC
A protester held out a bullet cartridge in Kano after the shots were firedSecurity is tight in Lagos with officers escorting the marchers
A tense standoff has erupted at the Kurudu Axis in Abuja, where enraged youths have blocked the road with burning tires, halting traffic and disrupting daily activities.
The protesters are demanding attention to their grievances, while the police are struggling to restore order amid the chaos.
Despite the police’s efforts to engage in dialogue and disperse the crowd using tear gas, the situation remains volatile. The confrontation has intensified, with traffic brought to a complete standstill and safety concerns mounting.
Turmoil has erupted in Nigeria as some protesters have begun looting stores amidst protests against the high cost of living, bad governance and widespread hunger pic.twitter.com/h4FvmZcxnl
In addition to blocking the road, some protesters have started looting nearby stores, further escalating the unrest.
The hashtag #EndbadGovernanceinNigeria has gained traction online, with many Nigerians expressing support for the movement amid soaring food inflation at 40 percent and fuel prices that have tripled following recent reforms introduced by President Tinubu.
Markets across Nigeria have seen residents stockpiling food and essentials in anticipation of potential violence as the protests continue. The use of tear gas by the police has exacerbated tensions, and it remains uncertain how the situation will be resolved as both sides remain at an impasse.
As much of Africa watches Kenya grapple with a series of protests over an intended finance bill, one prevalent feature in Ghanaian protests stands out: music.
A glance through videos of major protests in Ghana over the past few years reveals a recurring spectacle: trucks loaded with loudspeakers blaring music, delighting the protesters. This leads to an intriguing question: is music during protests necessary?
While there is a case for the relevance of music in political and national discourse and the contributions of the creative arts to political climates, let’s focus on the use of music specifically during protests.
Music is essential for setting the mood of social gatherings. It can inspire individuals at the gathering to take action or to relax. Protests, inherently about action, involve groups of concerned individuals airing their grievances to those in authority.
Merging these two elements—protests and music—can create a powerful dynamic. Throughout history, various songs have become protest anthems, with protesters chanting slogans and singing revolutionary songs. So, bringing speakers to protests might seem like a no-brainer. In Ghana, it’s a common practice. However, the music played is not typically protest anthems but rather ‘feel-good’ party music designed to make people dance and put them in a good mood.
This choice of music can be counterproductive. Instead of stoking the fire within the protesters, it often ends up tickling their legs, making the protest feel more like a party. This may reflect a broader issue with how protests in Ghana are organized.
Consider some major protests in Ghana, like #KumiPreko Reloaded, #OccupyJulorBiHouse, #DumsorMustStop, and #HandsofourHotels. They often felt performative. What’s the point of a protest if it looks more like a fanfare? Where are the long chants, the angry faces ready to defy authority, and the people prepared to invade government seats? Instead, we see painted faces, branded T-shirts, well-designed placards, and happy music, making the protests resemble street carnivals more than serious demonstrations.
This approach might be why these protests haven’t elicited significant responses from the government. As one protester at the #OccupyJulorBiHouse demonstration in 2023 remarked, “For me, it made it fun. But generally, it gave it a vibe of a young people hangout because the songs were not particularly thematic. They could have been war songs, songs about revolution, about black struggle, about unity, etc. But the songs were all about and not particularly thematic.”
This doesn’t mean music at protests is inherently bad, but maybe playing a Fela or Bob Marley song would have a better effect than playing a Kuami Eugene song. Or perhaps it’s better to forgo the speakers altogether, letting those in authority feel the heat, energy, and tension in the air.
Looking at various protests worldwide, such as the Arab Spring protests in 2011, the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, the End SARS protests in 2020, the Hijab protests in Iran in 2024, and the recent Kenya protests in 2024, we see that these were not well-planned, smooth-sailing events. They exposed the sentiments and frustrations of the masses without involving content creators dancing in the rain.
Several Kenyans are feared dead from the clashes between police and protesters over the controversial finance bill passed by MPs.
A paramedic, according to the BBC, has told the Reuters news agency that at least 10 protesters have been killed so far.
The death toll is likely to rise as police continue to battle the protesters inside and outside parliament.
The unrest has paralyzed businesses and transportation across various cities and towns. The bill introduces several unpopular taxes, prompting a youth-led protest movement demanding its rejection.
Despite the government’s concessions on some of the most contentious measures, including exempting bread and imported sanitary items from the proposed taxes, the anger among the populace remains palpable.
Image caption,Anti-riot police surround a demonstrator
Protesters argue that the new taxes would disproportionately affect the poorest citizens, exacerbating their financial struggles.
Ambulances can be seen carrying the injured from the streets. Some 45 injured people have been sent to Nairobi’s Kenyatta National Hospital, the country’s biggest referral hospital.
A section of Kenya’s parliament has caught fire just minutes after protesters breached police barricades to storm the complex.
Live broadcasts on local television displayed plumes of smoke rising from the parliamentary grounds, signaling a chaotic escalation in the ongoing protests.
Image caption,Protesters turn out to demonstrate against the proposed finance bill
Witnesses have reported injuries among the demonstrators as police resorted to firing rounds to disperse the advancing crowds.
Nearby, images surfaced of a police truck engulfed in flames, further illustrating the intensity of the clashes. Thousands of protesters, engaged in running battles with security forces, faced volleys of rubber bullets and tear gas as officers struggled to control the situation.
Miriam, the NDC Branch Communicator at Anyaa Sowutuom, has asked Nana Addo Danquah to sell properties in his hometown, Akyem, instead of tampering with state assets.
According to her, the Ashantis and Akyems are fond of taking what belongs to the Ga people, but the Gas will not permit that this time.
She told The Independent Ghana that if Akufo-Addo is itching to sell properties, then his hometown is where he ought to consider.
“I want us to tell Akufo Addo that he should go to Akyem his hometown, there are properties there, he should go and sell them rather and not Ghana’s assets. I said Akufo Addo should go and sell properties in his hometown and leave Ga lands alone. This year the GAs have become very serious and we will not allow the Akyems and Ashantes to take Ga lands. Accra is not for Akufo Addo. The land is meant for the GAs and so we will not leave it for Akufo Addo”the protester sternly expressed.
The Ghana Police Service has filed an injunction at an Accra High Court to prevent the #DumsorMustStop demonstration from taking place.
The organizers, led by Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson, scheduled the protest for Saturday, May 25, 2024.
During a meeting held at the Regional Police Headquarters on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, discussions between the Accra Regional Police Command and the organisers centered around the notification of the public protest and its potential impact on public order and safety.
The Police Command expressed concerns regarding the proposed venue, Revolution Square, due to its proximity to the Jubilee House, the seat of government, which is designated as a security zone.
Recognizing potential risks to public defense, order, and safety, the Command recommended relocating the protest to Independence Square.
Additionally, they highlighted concerns about the proposed timing for the conclusion of the protest, set for midnight.
They cautioned that this timing could compromise security measures, escalate tensions, and potentially lead to violence.
Failure to reach a common ground, the police service, in a fresh motion filed on May 20, is requesting the court to order the organizers to halt the event entirely.
The case has been scheduled for a hearing on May 24, 2024.
Senegal’s national electoral commission says there’s no cause for alarm over its preparedness to conduct the presidential election on 24 March.
It’s been a joyful mood in Senegal as the government finally fixed a day for the delayed presidential election.
But there are concerns the electoral commission may not have enough time.
The commission has assured Senegalese that they have nothing to worry about, with an official telling the BBC that they are not under any pressure.
The official said electoral materials had already been sent to the regional offices and their teams mobilised before elections were postponed early last month.
The move to hold elections before 2 April, when the mandate of President Macky Sall comes to an end, ends the crisis that divided the country and led to protests for weeks.
Prior to Wednesday’s announcement, authorities had attempted to postpone the original 25 February poll to December, which resulted in the political crisis.
On March 6, 2024, outside Ghana’s High Commission in the United Kingdom, a gathering of LGBTQ+ activists and allies voiced their opposition to the recently passed Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the anti-LGBT+ Bill.
Their numbers, around 100 strong, showcased a vibrant display of solidarity, with many adorned in garments reflecting the rainbow hues of pride and brandishing banners emblazoned with messages urging the dismissal of the Bill.
In a poignant demonstration captured in a video shared by Accra-based Asaase Radio, speakers took to the forefront to articulate their anguish over the implications of such legislation.
Some spoke of the profound hurt inflicted by laws that target sexual minorities, while others invoked a call to action, emphasizing the importance of standing up for the rights and lives of LGBTQ+ individuals.
“They are pushing many of us away, not on a slave ship this time, but through the stroke of a pen, filled with animosity and penned by individuals akin to themselves,” lamented one impassioned activist.
The anti-LGBT+ Bill currently seeks to outlaw LGBTQ+ activities and penalize their advocacy, promotion, and financial support. Under its provisions, individuals found engaging in such acts could face imprisonment ranging from six months to three years, while those involved in their promotion or sponsorship may be subject to three to five years behind bars.
Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has opted to withhold his decision on signing the Bill into law, citing ongoing legal challenges regarding its constitutionality in the Supreme Court.
Violent protests have erupted across Senegal in response to the postponement of presidential elections, with the first fatality reported as clashes intensify.
A student died during clashes with police on Friday in the northern city of Saint-Louis, as confirmed by an opposition leader and a local hospital source.
In the capital Dakar, security forces deployed tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Originally scheduled for February 25, the elections were postponed until December 15, with President Macky Sall asserting that this decision was not about holding onto power.
Earlier, Mr. Sall had indefinitely suspended the polls, citing the need to resolve a dispute over the eligibility of presidential candidates. Subsequently, lawmakers extended Mr. Sall’s mandate by 10 months.
Critics of the move argue that Senegal’s reputation as a democratic stronghold in an otherwise volatile region of West Africa is at stake.
Opposition leader Khalifa Sall, unrelated to the president, denounced the election delay as a “constitutional coup.”
While Mr. Sall expressed willingness to step down, he emphasized the importance of ensuring stability and peace in the country.
The student’s death in Saint-Louis was reported by Khalifa Sall on social media, lamenting the clashes as a consequence of the unjustifiable interruption of the electoral process.
The incident was confirmed by a local hospital source and an official from the student’s university, according to AFP.
Senegalese authorities have yet to comment publicly on the matter.
Last weekend, mass protests erupted across the country, culminating in Friday’s confrontations in Dakar, where demonstrators clashed with security forces, leading to stone-throwing and tire-burning.
President Sall, although asserting he won’t seek reelection, faces accusations of attempting to retain power or unfairly influencing his successor.
While twenty candidates initially qualified for the elections, several were excluded by the Constitutional Council, responsible for determining candidates’ eligibility.
West Africa’s regional bloc, ECOWAS, urged Senegal’s political leaders to urgently restore the electoral calendar in accordance with the constitution.
Senegal has long been regarded as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies, having experienced three peaceful transfers of power and never delaying a presidential election.
The Ghana Nurse-Midwife Trainees Association (GNMTA) is on the verge of staging a protest due to outstanding arrears that remain unpaid, claiming that the government has not fulfilled its commitment to disburse allowances to its members.
The GNMTA’s National President, Adumbisa Pascal, and General Secretary, Blessing Ampofo, issued a statement expressing their discontent, revealing that they had formally petitioned the Ministry of Health on November 25, 2023, regarding the unpaid arrears.
Despite the Ministry of Finance’s financial clearance for a two-year backlog, the trainees have only received payment for two months, leading to growing concern and dissatisfaction.
The statement emphatically demanded an immediate resolution to what they perceive as a severe injustice, emphasizing the critical importance of addressing the matter urgently and with utmost seriousness to safeguard the future of nursing and midwifery in Ghana.
“Our reservoir of patience and tolerance has been exhausted. We demand immediate redress for this egregious injustice. The fate of nursing and midwifery in Ghana lies precariously in the balance, highlighting the indispensability of addressing this matter with the profound urgency and unwavering gravity it commands” the statement added.
Read the full statement below:
PRESS STATEMENT ON RESOLUTION OF NURSE-MIDWIFE TRAINEES’ ARREARS
We, the Ghana Nurse-Midwife Trainees Association (GNMTA), pen this message with heartfelt disappointment and sorrow. Our previous appeals, efforts, and the issuance of an ultimatum have all been in vain. Despite our unwavering dedication and commitment to our noble profession, we are consistently met with the unjust negligence of our rightful entitlements.
Since the release of our letter on November 25, 2023, where we beseeched the Ministry of Health to address the long-overdue payment of our outstanding allowances, we have only been met with empty promises and false assurances. Out of the two years’ worth of arrears and the seven months’ clearance received from the Ministry of Finance, we have merely received payment for two months. This stark disparity leaves us bewildered, undervalued, and profoundly wounded.
The perplexity we face lies in the fact that, despite obtaining financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance, we are continuously denied our rightful remuneration. Our patience, understanding, and cooperation throughout this arduous ordeal have been met with indifference and disregard. We are frequently presented with excuses involving data validation and administrative obstacles, none of which justify the withholding of our hard-earned compensation.
The enduring delay in payment has inflicted severe burdens upon our lives, resulting in financial strain, emotional upheaval, and impediments in our academic pursuits. We embarked upon this noble journey with an unyielding belief that our contributions to society would be acknowledged and rewarded as befitting. Regrettably, we now find ourselves disillusioned, drained, and doubting the integrity of the established systems.
The ramifications of this inequitable treatment upon our education, careers, and personal well-being cannot be overstated. As frontline healthcare providers, we forsake our own comforts in order to serve our communities and safeguard the health and well-being of our fellow citizens. Yet, we are disregarded, treated as an afterthought, and burdened with financial instability.
We now demand immediate action. We firmly state that we are giving the Ministry of Health an ultimatum of one Week, if the said time elapses without any positive feedback we will have no choice but to take to the streets in a massive peaceful protest to express our displeasure.
With utmost urgency and sincerity, we implore the Ministry of Health, the general public, and all compassionate Ghanaians to stand in unwavering solidarity with us. We beseech you to amplify our voices and demand justice for the devoted trainee nurses and midwives who deserve timely and equitable compensation for their unwavering service.
Our reservoir of patience and tolerance has been exhausted. We demand immediate redress for this egregious injustice. The fate of nursing and midwifery in Ghana lies precariously in the balance, highlighting the indispensability of addressing this matter with the profound urgency and unwavering gravity it commands.
Our aspirations, dreams, and unwavering dedication should never be belittled or dismissed.
In conclusion, we earnestly beseech the Ministry of Health and all relevant stakeholders to accord the welfare and rights of trainee nurses and midwives the utmost priority. Let us forge a healthcare system that exudes empathy, fairness, and respect for its nursing and midwifery professionals. For failure to do so not only undermines the pivotal roles we play but also tarnishes the esteemed reputation of our cherished profession.
We stand united, our hearts brimming with hope and our voices resolute, as we fervently advocate for justice and uphold the intrinsic integrity of our noble profession. Let our collective strength and undying spirit serve as a steadfast reminder that we shall not be silenced or overlooked. Together, we can forge a future where our contributions are duly recognized, valued, and fairly compensated.
Ghana’s Trainee Nurses and Midwives plan peaceful protest if arrears remain unresolvedGhana’s Trainee Nurses and Midwives plan peaceful protest if arrears remain unresolved
The organizers of the Fix the Country protest, Democracy Hub Ghana, have announced a modification of their initial schedule for their protest, moving it to December 30 to 31, 2023.
This decision comes after the Ghana Police Service filed an application at the High Court seeking an order to prohibit three groups, including Democracy Hub Ghana, from holding demonstrations during the Yuletide season.
The police are attempting to prevent the group from conducting their planned month-long protest in December.
During a news conference in Accra on Thursday, one of the group’s conveners, Naa Densuah, noted that due to the injunction, some modification had to be made.
“We understand the frustration and the desire for a brighter future; the spirit of Christmas is a time of hope and renewal. In response to the unjust injunction, we have filed an application at the Supreme Court, seeking to quash these impediments to our constitutional rights to protest. We believe in the strength of our case and are committed to defending the democratic principles we hold dear.”
“As a result of the injunction, we are forced to make significant adjustments to the schedule we announced previously. We are planning to hold the demonstration from December 30-31. We will be providing more information about this in due course,” a convener for the Fix the Country Movement said.
Also, the group has taken legal action by filing an application at the Supreme Court to challenge an injunction sought by the Ghana Police Service.
Naa Densuah made an appeal to Ghanaians, urging them to support the legal efforts of Democracy Hub Ghana by contributing to their legal fund.
“In the interim, we call on all Ghanaians to support our legal team by contributing to the legal fund. Your donations will enable us to navigate this illegal challenge. We call on all citizens to organize a peaceful and impactful protest,” she advised.
The organizers of the Fix the Country protest, Democracy Hub Ghana, have taken legal action by filing an application at the Supreme Court to challenge an injunction sought by the Ghana Police Service.
The police are attempting to prevent the group from conducting their planned month-long protest in December.
Earlier in the month, the Ghana Police Service had filed an application at the High Court seeking an order to prohibit three groups, including Democracy Hub Ghana, from holding demonstrations during the Yuletide season.
During a news conference in Accra on Thursday, one of the group’s conveners, Naa Densuah, not only reiterated the reasons for the protest but also announced a modification of their initial schedule, moving it to December 30 to 31, 2023.
“We understand the frustration and the desire for a brighter future; the spirit of Christmas is a time of hope and renewal. In response to the unjust injunction, we have filed an application at the Supreme Court, seeking to quash these impediments to our constitutional rights to protest. We believe in the strength of our case and are committed to defending the democratic principles we hold dear.”
“As a result of the injunction, we are forced to make significant adjustments to the schedule we announced previously. We are planning to hold the demonstration from December 30-31. We will be providing more information about this in due course,” a convener for the Fix the Country Movement said.
Naa Densuah made an appeal to Ghanaians, urging them to support the legal efforts of Democracy Hub Ghana by contributing to their legal fund.
“In the interim, we call on all Ghanaians to support our legal team by contributing to the legal fund. Your donations will enable us to navigate this illegal challenge. We call on all citizens to organize a peaceful and impactful protest,” she advised.
Residents of Sekondi-Takoradi in the Western Region have taken to the streets to protest against poor road conditions, underdevelopment, and ineffective governance.
This demonstration, known as ‘Sekondi-Takoradi Deserves Better,’ reflects their discontent with the deteriorating state of local roads, the lack of development, and what they perceive as inadequate leadership in the region.
Many of the protesters were dressed in black and red attire, holding placards with messages such as “Takoradi Deserves Better,” “We Are Tired of Poor Leadership,” and “Fix Our Roads,” among others.
Samuel Gyimah, the Convener of the Concerned Youth of Sekondi-Takoradi, explained that the decision to take to the streets stems from the long-standing neglect of Sekondi-Takoradi.
“We are demonstrating because of the bad state of roads we have over here, hospitals, traffic lights are not working, streetlights are not working and the town is totally dark in the evening and nothing works over here.
“We want to go and ask our leaders if they are leading us to truth or they are just denying us of our rights.”
“We are demonstrating this morning because nothing works here and development is backsliding. The roads are terribly bad, unemployment is killing the youth and many things are not working.
“Leadership is not working so we have decided to speak and talk to leadership that we deserve better because many things that are used to develop the country come from the Western Region, of which Sekondi-Takoradi is the capital, yet our roads are bad and nothing works here,” Philip Fiifi Buckman, an aggrieved resident added.
Accra witnessed a unique solo protest on October 24, 2024, as Ernest Birmeh, also known as Dr. Think Twice, took to the streets to voice his concerns about societal pressures. Dressed in a white long-sleeved polo neck bearing the inscription “IGP” (Inspector General of Pressure), and sporting dark shades and a cap, Birmeh made a notable stop at the premises of Accra-based Despite Media during his march.
With a Ghanaian flag in one hand and a megaphone in the other, Birmeh led his one-man demonstration, flanked by a police van that blared its siren. In the vehicle were two officers, including a senior officer in the front seat, while two more officers followed on foot, one in a safety vest and the other carrying an AK47 rifle.
Birmeh’s protest was directed at the numerous societal pressures that Ghanaians face in various aspects of their lives. He vehemently challenged prevailing beliefs about marriage and childbirth, declaring,” Today, I am doing a one-man demonstration against unnecessary pressure. Aren’t you going to get married? Why won’t you give birth? Are you sticking to only one child? Is one not too little? I am demonstrating against these things. If you know that giving birth will make life difficult for you, stay away. If you know that marriage will be hard for you, stay away. Anything that will make you uncomfortable, stay away. Ghanaians, listen to me. If marriage will be a problem for you, stay away.”
He urged Ghanaians to avoid actions that would make their lives difficult, including entering into marriage or having children if they were not fully prepared for the responsibilities and challenges that come with them.
“These undue pressures, I am protesting against that. If you will give birth or marry and get into a hard situation, stay away. As with anything that will put you in a tight corner, stay away. That is my one-man demo that has brought me to Peace FM today,” he stressed.
In his impassioned speech, Birmeh expressed his belief that the expectation of “one man, one wife” is causing significant problems for many people. He argued that this societal norm is leading to an increase in diseases, divorces, and overall discomfort in relationships.
“That one man one wife thing is killing a lot of women. It is giving them diseases and divorces. Know that one man cannot stay with one woman,” he advised.
Birmeh also called on individuals to refrain from making promises of marriage after offering financial support or assistance to their partners, as this often leads to complications and pressure within relationships.
“Do not pay a woman’s school fees and promise to marry her after she completes. Do not take a woman to learn a trade and say you will marry her when she is done. All these things create problems.”
“Women putting pressure on their fellow women. That should reduce. Women putting pressure on men. Asking them to buy this or that for them. All these create problems. There is pressure everywhere.Let everything reduce and let us find a way to live in peace,” he noted.
Ernest Birmeh, popularly known as Dr. Think Twice, stages a solo protest against the burdens of societal pressure. #UTVGhanapic.twitter.com/b9UcmIO6uq
Residents of Samsam Odumase, near Amasaman in the Greater Accra Region, have taken action by blocking the Samsam Fotobi road to prevent tipper truck drivers from using it.
The protest is in response to the deteriorating condition of the road, which residents attribute to the heavy loads transported by these tipper trucks.
Approximately ten tipper drivers have found themselves stranded on the road, forcing them to seek alternative routes for their travel.
One resident expressed their frustration, stating, “we are stopping these people. They are destroying our roads, and we don’t want that. The taxi drivers in the community are unable to work. We’ve been calling them to have discussions on the road and explore ways to repair it, but nothing has happened. So, we want to take action that will get their attention.”
Another resident mentioned that the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) has visited their area multiple times, but no concrete actions have been taken to improve the road.
They indicated, “Therefore, we are taking this action to send a clear message to the authorities.”
Meanwhile, one of the affected drivers urged the residents to demand accountability from the local assembly. He argued that the drivers already pay a levy for each trip, which is intended for road maintenance.
Therefore, they should not be held responsible for the poor state of the road.
He emphasised: “the road is very very bad. The contractor or government has to fix it and the government is taking money from us. We pay council tickets, GH30 per trip.
“So we the drivers are paying our quarter just to fix the roads for the people. So we don’t know why they don’t do it…So we are not here to destroy the road.”
Deputy Chief Executive of the National Youth Authority, Akosua Manu, has shared her thought on the recent #OccupyBoG protest, asserting that it was misdirected.
She emphasized that the Bank of Ghana (BoG) does not involve itself in food crop cultivation for estimating food inflation.
During her appearance on TV3’s New Day, Akosua Manu acknowledged the significance of holding institutions accountable but underscored the importance of ensuring that such actions remain within the institution’s proper jurisdiction.
“Some of the things that the minority talked about, if they are talking about factors that affect inflation, including food, it is not BoG that plants maize or plantain to determine that. It doesn’t come to them. Secondly, if you want to have a conversation about him resigning, he doesn’t appoint himself; take it to the right authority for that to happen, so it becomes a question of gimmicks and games,” she stated.
Manu also pointed out that it was fitting for the government to seek assistance from the BoG, as it falls under the government’s purview. She contended that the Bank of Ghana could potentially extend financial support to the government, including options like an overdraft, in a manner it deems appropriate.
However, Manu criticized Dr. Ernest Addison, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, for labeling demonstrators as “hooligans.”
She disagreed with his choice of words, stating, “In the end, I disagree with the description of the protesters as hooligans; he performed poorly on that front. No one can make me believe that they were the right words to use.”
Nevertheless, Manu took issue with Dr. Ernest Addison, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, for characterizing the protesters as “hooligans.” She expressed her disagreement with his language choice, remarking, “Ultimately, I do not agree with referring to the demonstrators as hooligans; he fell short in that regard. I am not convinced that those were the appropriate words to use.”
The Minority coalition in Parliament, comprised of members representing the National Democratic Congress (NDC), CPP, PNC, and other civil society organizations, orchestrated the Occupy Bank of Ghana (BoG) demonstration on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
Their primary demand was the immediate resignation of the BoG Governor and his two deputies. The protest saw the participation of thousands of individuals who marched along the main thoroughfares of Accra.
The group’s key grievances encompassed the GH¢60 billion loss incurred by the Central Bank in the 2022 fiscal year and the controversial new central bank headquarters project, projected to exceed $250 million USD in cost.
Deputy General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Boamah Otokunor, has questioned the BoG Governor’s role in a bank printing money and accumulating a GHS60 billion debt.
He is seeking answers to how Central Bank lost GHS60.81 billion in the 2022 fiscal year, yet, used over $250 million for the construction of a new headquarters at North Ridge.
This, for him, forms part of the reason he the minority caucus joined hands to lead a delegation to protest for the resignation of the Governer of bank of Ghana.
“Who runs a central bank that prints money and collapses it in debt of GHS60 billion, who does that. Where you print the money, they are in debt of GHS60 billion. It means that the nation has collapsed and we are in bankrupt,” Mr Boamah Otokunor told the Independent Ghana reporter, Amanda Cartey during an interaction at the #OccupyBoGprotest held in Accra, October 3 2023.
The Minority Caucus in Parliament and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) led a protest today to demand the resignation of the governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison, and his two deputies.
Leaders of the protest insisted and marched to the premises of the Central Bank against the orders of the police to present their petition to the governor’s representatives.
Unfortunately, the protest leadership was met by Wing Commander Kwame Asare Boateng and a host of the Bank’s leadership, who told the protesters that Governor Addison was in a meeting with a team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and was therefore unavailable to receive the petition.
“We were informed that you would come and present the petition, but as we speak, the governor is meeting the IMF team,” Wing Commander Kwame Asare Boateng told the protesters.
But the Minority Leader described the decision as disrespectful and vowed to return later when the governor is available to receive the petition in person.
“It is very disrespectful not to receive the petition himself. Not even the deputy is here, and we never said we were going to present our petition to security, and we would not give you the petition.”
Security analyst Dr. Ishmael Norman has taken a stance opposing Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson. Dr. Forson’s expressed disagreement with the police’s decision to prevent their #OccupyBoG protest from entering the Bank of Ghana headquarters.
He expected the police to permit the caucus’s leadership and MPs to access the central bank for the purpose of presenting a petition to the governor. However, Dr. Norman disagrees with Dr. Forson’s viewpoint.
Ghana Police Service at a press briefing on Monday announced that it would allow the OccupyBoG protesters to march as far as the National Lottery Authority and make a U-turn towards the Independence Square where they are to terminate their procession.
The Service justified this decision by insisting that the area beyond the National Lottery Authority, particularly the Bank of Ghana premises, is a security zone and so allowing such a large procession into the vicinity could potentially pose a risk to national security.
But according to security analyst, the minority is asking for too much and urged them to accept the police’s boundaries.
“I think going to the Central Bank is totally a no-no. Can you do this in America? Fort Knox? You can go to Fort Knox? You can go to New York Treasury and then demonstrate there? I mean, please let’s be real. You have the right to express your will as a citizen, you have the right to criticize the government, you have the right to demonstrate.
“But there are certain specific areas that you should not be permitted to go at all and one of them is the central bank. So for me, I support the demonstration as a right of every citizen, part of their inalienable rights. However, the central bank is out of place. I am surprised that I am speaking for the Ghana Police because normally I don’t do this, but I think they’re demanding a bit too much and I think that should not be allowed,” he said.
However, private legal practitioner Samson Lardy Anyenini stated that the police’s designation of a location as a security zone cannot be swallowed hook, line, and sinker.
According to him, just because an area is designated a security zone does not preclude a modest procession bringing a petition from passing through.
“We cannot be agreeing with the police and saying once they say a place is a security zone it means a security zone is out of access. I think that’s completely wrong. Nowhere in the world is it established that a place that is designated as a security zone means you cannot take a demonstration there.
“In this case, they are not saying from what we have heard, that they are taking the demonstration there. They’re saying give some of the leaders the opportunity to go there, what’s wrong with that? What’s the biggest security zone than the white house?
“So please let’s not take the police’s word and simply say once they say it’s a security zone it means a security zone means that you cannot access the place,” he said.
The NDC and its supporters are planning a protest to demand the immediate resignation of the Bank of Ghana’s governors for what they describe as gross mismanagement of Ghana’s fiscal space, which has significantly contributed to the Bank of Ghana’s bankruptcy and the country’s worsening economic conditions.
If the October 3 protest fails to yield the desired results, the Minority will take further steps to remove the central bank managers, according to Dr. Forson.
“This is the first of a series of actions that we are going to take. We may repeat the demonstration. We may begin processes in parliament that will remove the Governor and the deputies. So, let’s start from tomorrow [Tuesday] and let’s see what happens,” he said.
Security Policy Expert at the Centre for Security Dialogue and Peace Advocacy, Anthony Acquaye, has underscored the importance of educating participants and stakeholders in the upcoming #OccupyBoGprotest scheduled for tomorrow to mitigate the risk of violence during the demonstration.
This call comes in the wake of the recent #OccupyJulorBiHouse protest, organized by a group called Democratic Hub on September 21, 2023, which witnessed clashes between protesters and the police, resulting in violence.
The expert’s statement highlights that even peaceful demonstrations have, on several occasions, spiraled into violence, making it crucial to educate protesters to prevent a repeat of such incidents.
These instances have been linked to various factors, including police misconduct, deviations from planned protest routes, abrupt route changes enforced by security forces, and more.
To ensure that a peaceful demonstration remains nonviolent, Mr. Acquaye encourages all stakeholders, including the police, protest organizers, individual demonstrators, and journalists, to collaborate in defining and understanding the nature of the demonstration being conducted.
“As a Security Policy Expert, it is equally crucial to draw the attention of all stakeholders; the Police, organizers of demonstrations, individual protesters and journalists that, if the right type of demonstration is not collaboratively established and agreed by all major stakeholders, a peaceful demonstration can result in a violent demonstration.
“For a demonstration to be peaceful, it is cardinal to establish and understand the type of demonstration and how it is done among all stakeholders for the purpose of effective security operational command and control to ensure law and order,” part of the statement read.
The security policy expert emphasized the significance of informing protesters on the nature of the rally and its path in order to prevent potential violence.
He emphasized that the protest will include a Matching Demonstration as well as a Rally Demonstration, and that protesters will not be permitted to occupy the Bank of Ghana.
“So, in actual sense, if clearly, the statements from the Minority leader and Ghana Police Service all agreed in principle then the title given to tomorrow’s demonstration as ‘Occupy BOG Domo’ does not fit into the matching type of demonstration as have been agreed by both stakeholders but instead the picketing type of demonstration, this can create some kind of misunderstanding among protesters since they will not be allowed by the Police to occupy Bank of Ghana.
“To avoid crop up of violence, proper education must go down to the protesters for them to understand that, they are not going to occupy BOG but rather they will be having a route Match demonstration combined with Rally demonstration in order to prevent rise of anger on Police officers who may be seen as standing block to stop them from occupying BOG,” he stressed.
“Moreover, it is paramount to use this opportunity to advise the Ghana Police Service to be more professional in exercising their powers to ensure command and control to avoid the outbreak of violence, and to the organizers of the demonstration, who must also ensure they caution their members to avoid coming along with any offensive material such as stones, pepper spray catapults etc, that may trigger violence,” the statement added.
The planned demonstration by the minority and some civil social organizations on October 3, 2023, is expected to begin at the Obra Spot, Kwame Nkrumah Circle – Adabraka – Ridge Roundabout – National Theatre Traffic Light – High Court Complex Traffic Light – Atta Mills Highway – U-turn to the Independence Square as the final destination.
The organizers’ goal is to have the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addisson, and his deputies resign from their positions for their responsibilities in driving the country into the current economic crisis.
A grassroots movement, Democracy Hub, held a three-day protest in Accra demanding government accountability and combating corruption, gaining significant attention on social media, especially Twitter, with the hashtag #OccupyJulorbiHouse.
The protests saw participation from musicians, celebrities, and influencers, all unified in their pursuit of transparency and change.
Notable figures present included Stonebwoy, Cina Soul, Kwaw Kese, Bridget Otoo, Efia Odo, Pappy Kojo, among others.
These demonstrations provided a platform for citizens to express their concerns and seek government responses on issues related to resource allocation and governance.
Here are five memorable moments from the protests etched in the collective memory of Ghanaians:
1. Police saluting civilians for favor:
During the protests, a police officer was recorded saluting citizens, including popular musician Pappy Kojo, in an attempt to curry favor with the demonstrators.
The officer made the personnel gestures solely to guarantee the smooth flow of human traffic.
2. Collaboration between police and protesters for Ambulance passage:
In a humanitarian gesture, police and protesters worked together to allow an ambulance to pass through a blocked part of the Airport-37-Accra Road.
Despite standing face-to-face on that stretch of road, an ambulance was allowed to pass. A TV3 camera showed the moment, with police and protesters demolishing barricades to allow the ambulance to pass.
3. Live TV interview interrupted by police arrest:
A Pan-Africanist taking part in the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest was detained by the Ghana Police Service while giving a live interview on national television.
The protester, described as ‘Safani,’ was detained without an official justification, and his arrest was videotaped.
A powerful image circulated widely during the protests, depicting a young boy in rubber slippers and shorts gesturing towards riot police stationed meters away behind their barricades.
5. Police officer sitting on the ground, pleading with protesters:
A police officer was captured sitting on the ground, imploring protesters to clear a roadblock that had brought traffic to a standstill around the 37 Military Hospital.
The officer personally appealed for their cooperation, asking them to move aside and allow the free flow of traffic. Despite the officer’s pleas, the protesters remained resolute in their demands.
A policeman sitting on the ground of the street and pleading with the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protesters to allow motorists to pass through.
On the last day of the three-day #OccupyJulorbiHouse protests, protesters attempted to force their way through a police barricade deep into the night and march to the presidency.
This is despite the illegal arrests and police highhandedness that marred Day 1 when police arrested 49 protesters, who were detained for hours on allegations of unlawful assembly.
All of them were later released on bail.
Day 2 and 3 passed without any major incident as police barricaded the main road leading to the presidency, Jubilee House, even before the protesters began their march towards the place.
While Day 2 saw the blocking of one part of the 37-Accra Road, the final day saw the blocking of both sides which meant vehicular traffic was greatly constrained for the better part of the day.
Kenya has reinstated a small subsidy to stabilise retail fuel prices for the next 30 days, the energy regulator says, in a reversal of government policy after public anger over the high cost of living.
After taking office in September, President William Ruto removed fuel and maize flour subsidies put in place by his predecessor, saying he preferred subsidising production rather than consumption.
The move was also aimed at cutting government spending as the government seeks to get a handle on debt repayments that have forced it to deny market speculation about a possible default.
But the subsidy cuts as well as recent tax hikes have increased living costs and contributed to violent anti-government protests in recent months.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) said late on Monday that the maximum retail price of a litre (0.26gal) of petrol would remain constant at 194.68 shillings ($1.35), shielding consumers from an increase of 7.33 shillings ($0.05), which the government will shoulder through a price stabilisation fund.
Retail fuel prices are set in the middle of each month. The government also applied small subsidies on kerosene and diesel, EPRA said.
The regulator did not provide an explanation for the government’s decision. Officials from EPRA, the Ministry of Energy, and the National Treasury and Economic Planning did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Fuel prices shot up when Ruto removed the subsidies. They spiked again in July after the government pushed a contentious law through parliament that doubled the fuel tax.
The protests organised in response to that law were called off last month after the opposition and Ruto agreed to talks to resolve their differences, the second such attempt this year.
Both sides agreed that opposition to a financial bill signed into law in June “should be decided in court”, where it is being challenged by the opposition. In July, an appeals court lifted a suspension placed on a law that would double the value-added tax on fuel and introduce a new housing levy.
On Monday, a multitude of individuals, a significant number of whom had veiled their faces to obscure their identities, paraded through the capital of Haiti. They were fervently calling for safeguarding against aggressive gangs that have been ransacking neighborhoods not only in the capital city of Port-au-Prince but also in surrounding areas.
“We want security!” the crowd chanted as it marched for two hours from the troubled community of Carrefour-Feuilles to Champ de Mars in the downtown area and then to the prime minister’s official residence, where police broke up the demonstration with tear gas.
In response, demonstrators took action by igniting tires and a vehicle owned by the state.
Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, analysts have noted that gangs have managed to take control over as much as 80% of Port-au-Prince. In these areas, they have been committing acts of violence, including killings and sexual assaults, while spreading fear among communities that are already grappling with severe poverty.
Between January and March, the latest U.N. report indicates that over 1,600 individuals have been reported as either killed, injured, or abducted. This marks an almost 30% surge when compared to the final three months of 2022.
Last October, the prime minister of Haiti, along with other high-ranking officials, urgently requested the deployment of an international force to help suppress the surge in gang-related violence.
Towards the end of July, Kenya offered to contribute to a multinational police force, though a resolution to authorize a non-U.N. multinational mission is yet to be voted upon by the U.N. Security Council.
The interior ministry of Senegal has announced that it is taking measures to “preserve peace and tranquillity” as opposition protests continue in certain parts of the country.
Small protests are ongoing in the capital, Dakar, as well as in Ziguinchor, where the opposition leader Ousmane Sonko serves as the mayor.
These recent protests were sparked by the arrest of Mr. Sonko over the weekend and the subsequent dissolution of his party. He remains in custody and has initiated a hunger strike as of Sunday.
The government, through Interior Minister Antoine Félix Abdoulaye Diome, declared the dissolution of Mr. Sonko’s party, Patriots of Senegal (Pastef), for inciting unrest during violent protests in Dakar last month.
But Pastef says the Senegal’s stability “is now compromised, because the people will never accept this ultimate forfeiture of power against ‘the favourite’”.
Videos on social networks showed demonstrators throwing stones at the security forces following the arrest and party dissolution.
Mr Sonko has denounced his imprisonment, saying it is “on false grounds”. He is also waiting for the official notification about his party’s disbandment so he can fight it by “legal means”.
It is the third time a political party had been banned in the West African nation since it gained its independence from France in 1960 – the others happened before multi-party democracy was introduced in the 1970s.
Pastef’s supporters have accused President Macky Sall’s ruling party of trying to side-line his popular opponent, who came third in the 2019 presidential election, with trumped-up charges ahead of February’s vote.
In Nigeria, trade union members are staging protests against high fuel prices and inflation resulting from the removal of a fuel subsidy. Talks between the unions and the government failed to yield an agreement on Tuesday.
Joe Ajaero, the head of the Nigeria Labour Congress, called on members to gather in their respective states and locations across the nation to express their collective resolve.
In light of the protests, Police chief Kayode Egbetokun warned against violence and urged commissioners to deploy officers fully to ensure the safety of the protesters.
President Bola Tinubu’s sweeping measures announced on Monday to mitigate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal, including conditional grants to at least one million small businesses, were deemed insufficient by the unions.
The government justifies the lifting of the fuel subsidy, citing it as a measure to alleviate a government funding crisis, despite its popularity.
In the midst of widespread protests, Kenya’s opposition leader, Raila Odinga, says he intends to start a fund for “families who lost their loved ones and those still in hospital receiving treatment.”
The Azimio coalition leader stated that more donations might be made to the fund while speaking to the International Press Association of East Africa’s members on Tuesday morning.
A different kind of protest is being called for on Wednesday from 06:00 to 18:00 instead of the additional demonstrations that were originally scheduled. He declared that they would organise vigils and parades of support for those who had been the victims of police brutality in various cities across the nation.
“We condole with the families who have lost loved ones and they are the reason as to why we called off the demos,” he added.
In the most recent opposition protests against the growing cost of living and tax increases, Kenya’s police have been engaged in clashes with demonstrators.
At least 24 people have been shot dead in recent months as Kenyan police have clashed with demonstrators during the most recent opposition demonstrations against the growing cost of living and tax increases.
James Wainaina, a taxi driver in Nairobi’s capital city, supported William Ruto in the previous election because he ran as the representative of the country’s “hustler nation”—common people struggling to make ends meet.
However, Mr. Wainaina is now backing the protests because he feels misled.
Prices have increased since President Ruto took office despite his government raising taxes.
Mr Ruto says the extra revenue is needed for escalating debt repayments and to fund projects to create jobs, but the tax rises have made life even harder for the poorest Kenyans.
Mr Wainaina’s daughter, a high school student, recently stayed at home for three weeks because he was unable to pay her 14,000-shilling ($100; £75) school fees.
Mr Wainaina says his business has declined because of the cost-of-living crisis.
He gets fewer clients and nearly all his earnings now go into simply keeping his car on the road.
Five years ago, he could make up to 4,000 shillings a day, enough to cover his basic necessities, including school fees, he says.
He laments there are times he now goes home with just 500 shillings after expenses “which is not enough to fuel the car the next day”.
“It is very difficult for us,” he says. The government, he adds, has not made it easy for small businesses, especially the “hustlers” .
Mr Wainaina says they were lied to.
“It doesn’t seem like things will be better, you see [the president] lied to us, we are being oppressed, things are becoming difficult. When the cost of fuel goes up, the price of everything else goes up, even electricity. Things are becoming worse.”
Even those who still support the government are expressing “a considerable level of unhappiness with the current state of affairs”, according to the latest survey by a local polling firm, Tifa.
Its survey shows that 56% of Kenyans think the country is heading in the wrong direction, up from 48% in March.
The polling firm suggests the discontent may be feeding into support for the protests called by the Azimio opposition coalition, led by Raila Odinga, who was defeated by Mr Ruto last year.
Image caption,At least 24 people have been killed in recent protests
Government data show that the prices of some key food products have risen considerably in the 12 months to June – with the staples – maize, grain and flour – increasing by up to 30%, rice and potatoes by nearly 20% and sugar costing nearly 60% more.
Despite that, in the finance bill which became law on 1 July, the government doubled the value-added tax on fuel products from 8% to 16%, and introduced a 1.5% housing levy on employees’ basic pay, with an equivalent amount paid by the employer.
The levy is supposed to go to a fund to construct homes for the less well-off while creating jobs.
Besides that, taxes on sales (Turnover Tax) were tripled to 3% for small businesses, and income tax for high-earning employees was raised from 30% to a maximum of 35%.
The government defends the new taxes – now temporarily suspended by a court – as necessary because of the country’s high debts.
It accuses the previous administration of massively adding to the country’s debt burden by spending huge amounts of money on infrastructure projects that did not help the ordinary Kenyan.
Mr Ruto served in the previous government as deputy president, but he distanced himself from it after falling out with then-President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He and government officials have told Kenyans that paying the taxes is a short-term “sacrifice” for the future of the country.
But Mr Wainaina is not convinced. Likewise, Edwin Simiyu, a boda boda (motorcycle taxi) rider in Kiambu town near the capital regrets voting for the current administration.
“[The president] said we should give him one year and then we’d see positive changes. Now when he is in, he changes the tune and says we should wait for years before things become better. We are suffering, we have been totally betrayed, we’ve been forgotten,” he says.
Charles Kaindo is hard at work in the same town selling second-hand clothes on a pavement.
The hawker tells the BBC it is unfortunate the government has broken its promises.
He says there will be a time when people will say “enough is enough” – explaining that hard-working people will turn to crime and others “may even take their lives when the suffering becomes too much”.
Image caption,Charles Kaindo says the government broke its promises
But not everyone thinks that higher taxes are a bad thing.
Jane Njeri, an accountant in the private sector, says she does not envy the government – which needs the money to pay off the huge debts that Kenya owes.
The Kenya shilling has been steadily weakening against the US dollar in recent months, making the cost of debt repayments even higher.
“It’s not going to be an overnight thing. We are at a bad place, depreciating shilling, debt and unemployment,” she says.
The disquiet in Kenya arises from the “sense of contradiction” between the “hustler narrative” about easing the cost of living that was sold during the campaign and the “reality where we are seeing taxes being increased on everyday goods”, according to Ken Gichinga, chief economist at business consulting firm Mentoria Economics.
He says rather than focusing on consumption taxes that raise the cost of living, the government should do more to spur private-sector growth.
He argues against the government housing projects being funded by the new levy, saying it is unlikely to resolve either the housing or unemployment problem.
“Lower interest rates, lower taxation, and loosen regulation. Do those three and the whole economy will be able to create jobs. Let the free market work.”
However, economic analyst Odhiambo Ramogi says he is convinced that that the president’s intentions are noble – though the methods “are wrong”.
He says the government should first cut waste before asking ordinary Kenyans to pay more.
The government accepts this point – David Ndii, its chief economic adviser, has acknowledged on Twitter that the government was “wasteful”.
Ndindi Nyoro, chairman of the parliamentary budget committee, told the BBC that the government’s tax plan was to ensure that government was not digging a bigger debt hole by borrowing more. He said the focus was on creating a balance to ensure what “will make Kenyans take part in baking the national cake”.
But a growing number of Kenyans do not think this is working and are taking to the streets to make their point.
Kenyan authorities have deployed security officers in key towns following the resumption of cost-of-living protests organized by the opposition.
The demonstrations, which began on Wednesday, saw clashes between protesters and police in the capital city of Nairobi, where tear gas was used against stone-throwing demonstrators.
As a precautionary measure, the government ordered the closure of schools in Nairobi and the coastal city of Mombasa, anticipating potential violence during the protests. Consequently, the city’s central business district remained quiet, with many shops closed.
Protesters have taken to barricading roads in Nairobi and other parts of the country. In Nakuru, located in the Rift Valley region, police dispersed protesters who had blocked roads and set fires by using tear gas.
The opposition in Kenya has organized these protests in response to rising discontent over recent tax increases implemented by President William Ruto’s government.
During last year’s election campaign, Ruto had promised to champion the interests of the poor. However, since assuming office, the cost of living has continued to rise, and taxes have been raised, fueling public dissatisfaction.
The situation remains tense as the protests unfold, and authorities are working to maintain stability while addressing the concerns of the demonstrators.
In a strong warning to the opposition, Kenya‘s President William Ruto has said “protests will no longer take place in our nation. The one they have planned for Wednesday will not be possible.”
He was speaking to supporters in Naivasha, central Kenya, two days after at least 10 people died during clashes between protesters and security forces.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has launched a series of demonstrations against tax rises, including the doubling of the tax on fuel, that were signed into law last month.
“Elections ended on 9 August last year. You cannot look for the leadership of this country using the blood of the citizens, the death of the citizens and the destruction of property,” Mr Ruto said .
“These demos will not happen. Listen to me carefully: you cannot use extrajudicial, extra-constitutional means to look for power in Kenya.”
Mr Odinga had earlier said that next week will see three more days of protests beginning on Wednesday.
According to the constitution, people organising protests must inform the authorities of their intentions, but the president does not have the power to ban demonstrations.
The Binduri Community Day Senior High School in the Upper East Region has been closed due to student protests over a lack of food.
On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, several upset students boycotted classes to protest and express their dissatisfaction with the school administration’s inability to serve them with the one hot meal each day for some time already.
According to sources within the school, the caterer stationed at the school has been unable to cook for the children since May 29, 2023, leaving the pupils to their own fate.
During the demonstration against the events at the school, some kids stated that they were suffering since they had been refused their daily food for more than a month.
saying what is very worrying is that due to the shortage of food, we have been compelled one kind of food throughout the whole week”. One of the said “ it is very sad that we are sometimes forced to eat Banku and okro stew throughout the whole week” and therefore called on the ministry of education and the government to take immediate steps to address the issue to pave the way for the caterer’s return.
A first year female student called on the government to provide them with their school uniforms and other attires since it was long overdue, saying “ we also demand the construction of a place of convenience since we can no longer attend to nature’s call in bushes around the school”.
The association argues that the government has failed to settle over 2 years’ worth of arrears owed to its members.
Earlier, the association issued a 14-day ultimatum to the buffer stock company, demanding full payment of the outstanding arrears or face a series of picketing.
However, the planned action was postponed on June 13, 2023.
During an interview with Joshua Kodjo Mensah on Monday, Kweku Amedume, the spokesperson for the National Food Suppliers Association, revealed that creditors are now threatening to take over their homes due to the unpaid arrears.
“What we are asking for is our money and our contract is with Buffer Stock. The Education Ministry has told us it has released the money to Buffer Stock. We want to know where the money has gone to, we want to have our money so we can settle our creditors.
“We will be picketing at the Buffer Stock and we will be there till our monies are paid. We will be there till our money is settled in full. Because we have nowhere going apart from that place,” Mr. Amedume stated.
He continued: “Our houses are being taken over by creditors. So we want to go and be there for them to know the kind of pressure that is being mounted on us as suppliers.”
On Monday morning, protesters in Shama, a town in the Western Region of Ghana, staged a demonstration that led commuters stranded.
Members of the Ghana Road Transport Union (GPRTU) parked their vehicles in protest of the poor state of roads in the constituency.
Traditional authorities, who also share concerns about the district’s conditions, joined the drivers in the demonstration.
This collective action effectively brought all vehicular movement within the district to a halt, causing significant inconvenience and economic disruption.
John Amoh, the Shama District Chairman of the GPRTU, voiced the drivers’ frustration with the condition of the roads. He expressed that the roads in the district are in a deplorable state and criticized the government for consistently failing to address their concerns.
Amoh further stressed that the drivers and protesters would continue their demonstration until their grievances are properly addressed.
Amoh highlighted the government’s broken promises, including the announcement and ceremonial sod-cutting for the construction of a district hospital, which has shown no progress. The protesters feel neglected by the government and are resolute in their determination to persist until their voices are heard.
The opposition leader of Senegal, Ousmane Sonko, has urged the public to participate in large-scale protests against President Macky Sall’s bid for a third term in office.
President Sall is expected to deliver a speech later to announce whether he intends to run for president in 2024, a move that most legal experts argue would violate the Senegalese constitution.
Last month, widespread demonstrations took place in various cities across Senegal following Sonko’s conviction and subsequent sentencing to two years in prison on charges of “corrupting youth.” Sonko’s supporters and some political observers believe that the case was politically motivated, aiming to prevent him from running in the upcoming presidential election.
These clashes marked the deadliest and most significant unrest in recent history.
Sonko also said on Sunday that if the president announces a third-term bid it was “incumbent on all the Senegalese people to stand up, to face him”.
The constitution limits presidents to two terms in office but Mr Sall’s supporters argue that this should be reset because a new constitution was adopted in 2016.
An attempted third-term bid by then President Abdoulaye Wade in 2012 plunged the country into violence, leading to 12 deaths.
Members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers and Liquified Petroleum Gas Drivers (L.P.G) have resolved to embark on an industrial action to press home demands for the rehabilitation of the roads in the petroleum enclaves in Tema, Takoradi, Kumasi, and Buipe.
“We have been trying to convince the government to fix these roads for years, but all our pleads have fallen on deaf ears, and now we need to resort to this strike starting Monday, June 26, 2023,” says George Nyaunu, the National Chairman of the Tanker Drivers Union.
“From that day on, our members will not move any products from the petroleum enclaves.”
Mr. George Nyaunu added that he and his followers are hopeful that when the strike begins to affect the supply of petroleum products around the country, the authorities concerned will take action to fix “the deplorable roads” in the petroleum enclaves.
He pointed out that the bad roads are dangerous for moving petroleum products because there have been instances when some solid goods trucks have fallen over, let us assume it is a petroleum tanker with loads; it will be a disaster.
“We the drivers, are also affected a lot because repeatedly driving on such roads has taken a toll on our physical health and overall wellbeing. This cannot continue,” Mr. George Nyaunu said.
He warned that the strike will continue until the authorities commit themselves firmly to a timeline for repairing the roads in the petroleum enclaves.
During a protest against the police, sparked by tensions between residents of Sherigu community in the Bolgatanga Municipality and the Fulani community, approximately 15 individuals were injured by rubber bullets.
The victims were alleged to have been shot by the police when some youth went to the Bolgatanga District Police Station to protest the arrest of six of their colleagues for allegedly leading an attack on Fulani settlement near the community.
They were also alleged to have planned to attack the Fulanis a second time, and the Sherigu Chief as well.
According to Mr Francis Amoah, the Assemblyman for Sherigu-Punpungo Electoral Area, the victims were receiving treatment at healthcare facilities in the Municipality.
Some residents of Sherigu accused the Fulanis in the community, to have, on numerous occasions, attacked, killed, and raped women in the area particularly along the Sherigu-Naaga road.
Mr Amoah told the Ghana News Agency, that it all started about two weeks ago when some residents asked the Fulanis to vacate the community, accusing them of the rampant armed robbery incidents in the area which had led to the death of one person.
The youth also accused the Fulanis of always allowing their cattle to destroy their crops and wanted them out of the community.
The police initially arrested six people who were said to be the ring leaders and that angered the youth to protest, which led to 15 persons being injured by the rubber bullets.
The police later in a swoop arrested 61 persons in connection with the disturbances.
Mr Rex Asanga, the Municipal Chief Executive for Bolgatanga, said he visited the victims who were in stable condition and explained that the youth had besieged the police station and attacked the police officers by pelting stones, causing damage to some properties.
He said the police, in their effort to disperse the rampaging youth used rubber bullets which caused some injuries to the victims.
He said the youth asked the Fulanis in the community to leave the area, and the action displaced about 170 Fulanis who were currently hosted at the Bolgatanga Sports Stadium.
He said the Municipal Security Council was working seriously to find a lasting solution to the problem and urged all stakeholders to remain calm.
“We were working on resolving the issue until it escalated, so we are not sleeping on it. We are trying to get the community to agree to have the Fulanis back to the community because a lot of their cattle are still there without anybody attending to them,” he said.
The 61 persons were taken to court and eight juveniles (minors) were granted bail while the rest were remanded into prison custody.
They are scheduled to reappear in court on June 19, 2023.
Kenyan protestors demonstrating in the nation’s capital against a number of the government’s proposed fuel tax increases have been dispersed by an open fire with tear gas.
One of the key contested measures in the unpopular finance bill is a new 3% housing fund levy for all salaried workers and to increase value added tax on fuel to 16%.
The bill also calls for taxes on beauty products, crypto-currencies and earnings by social media influencers. They are among the measures that have been opposed by many Kenyans.
The dozens of protesters had sought to gather at a park in the centre of Nairobi before marching to parliament to urge MPs to reject the tax proposals.
Local media reported that some of the protesters were arrested.
Legislators are set to debate the bill on Thursday, amid warnings issued by President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua against those opposed to the proposals.
Many Kenyans have been calling on MPs to reject the new tax proposals
Hundreds of Teshie residents on Tuesday, May 29, mobilized and marched through the streets to voice their discontent over the extremely poor state of their roads.
Clad in red attire, the peeved Teshie dwellers who sang to vent their spleen paraded with placards with inscriptions stating “Potholes endangering our lives, all our sales used for car repairs because of the bad roads,” among others.
Tuesday’s demonstration was dubbed “The M33ba Teshie” to wit ‘Why Teshie’.
Among the notable roads in a life threatening state are Teshie Estate Road, Zongo-Junction Road, Adom to Grader Estate Road, Kuala Street, Agbleza Road, Maate Tsulu Road.
Engaging the press, Assembly Member for Teshie-Nungua Estate South, Tahiru Alhassan alleged that several attempts to get the Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly fix the bad roads have been unsuccessful.
The issue of bad roads continues to affect the lives and livelihoods of many communities in the country.
For the past decade, communities have taken turns (in no official order) to hit the streets to register their displeasure with the bad roads they are subjected to in their daily dealings.
Residents of about 80 communities in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region in 2021 took to the streets to protest bad roads in the area. In October 2022, residents of Amasaman Okusubeade, Kojo Ashong, Oboom, and Three Junction hit the streets.
However, most of these communities are yet to have their grievances addressed by the government.
According to President Akufo-Addo, his government has constructed more roads in the country than any other in the Fourth Republic.
Between 2017 and December 2022, 11,975.96km of roads, 33 bridges, and 6 interchanges were constructed across the country.
In recent times, the government has reemphasised its decision to cut down on its expenditure as part of efforts to reduce its debt deficit.
The Parisians have had a challenging week after having their chances of winning Ligue 1 derailed by a home setback to Lorient on April 30.
After making an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia, the French giants also put the world’s best player, Lionel Messi, on two weeks of suspension.
On Wednesday, fans chanted outside the club’s headquarters, demanding the board resign. Further clips showed supporters outside Neymar’s home, calling for him to move on, perPSG Report.
In a video shared on social media, some fans showed up with megaphones, flares, and banners in front of the Brazilian’s residence as frustration with the star’s performance continues to grow.
Neymar, who has been linked with a move away from Paris to the English Premier League in recent weeks, took to social media to confirm fans had come to his home in France.
“They’ve just left my door,” Neymar wrote on Twitter, along with a crying emoji.
In a statement, via Yahoo Sports, the club said: “Whatever the differences of opinion, nothing justifies such actions. The club gives its full support to its players, its staff and all those targeted by such shameful behaviour.”
Neymar nears return to Paris
Meanwhile, Neymar is expected to return to PSG at the end of April after recovering from his ankle injury in his home country of Brazil, Get Football reports.
The star saw his season end early after he sustained an injury during a Ligue 1 match against Lille on February 19,2021 which necessitated surgery in Qatar.
Neymar is still wearing an orthopaedic boot as he recovers from the injury, but the PSG forward can reportedly remove it once he returns to France.
However, he was expected to PSG by the close of April 2023.The injury forced him to miss a significant portion of the season and raised doubts about his availability for the team’s crucial upcoming matches.
Neymar has been a key player for PSG since joining the team in 2017. He has helped the club win multiple domestic trophies and reach the final of the UEFA Champions League in the 2019-20 season. The injury he sustained was a significant blow to PSG’s hopes of winning both domestic and European competitions, and his return to the team would be a welcome boost for the club and its fans.
Neymar’s girlfriend announces pregnancy
In more positive news, Sports Brief reported on Neymar becoming a father again after his girlfriend, Bruna Biancardi’s recent pregnancy announcement.
The model tagged the 31-year-old Paris Saint-Germain superstar in a post on social media(Instagram), where she announced the positive news to her 3.8 million followers.
The couple shared a series of snaps highlighting Biancardi’s visibly growing baby bump, and in one of the photos, Neymar holds his girlfriend’s belly with a smile.
The news was reported by Sports Brief and announced by Biancardi herself on social media.
The post included a series of pictures, including some highlighting Biancardi’s visibly growing baby bump. The post was coupled with a passionate message to the unborn child of how she has a beautiful family awaiting his/her coming into this world.
Neymar has been in a relationship with Biancardi for some time, and the news of their upcoming child has been well-received by his fans and followers on social media. This will be Neymar’s third child, as he is already a father to a son, Davi Lucca, whom he had with his former partner Carolina Dantas, and a daughter, whose mother’s identity is not publicly known.
In Uganda, 11 female opposition parliamentarians have been detained while embarking on a demonstration over alleged police violence.
The legislators took to the streets Thursday to voice their dissatisfaction over what they are calling a violation of the rights of women and a threat to their lives, which they say also violates the Constitution.
Scuffles erupted between the women and police as the legislators tried to make their way to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
“Susan Mugabi was beaten, was tear-gassed,” she said. “There were bullets fired. Her sister was beaten, and fondled by police officers. Almost undressed her. Her mother was also arrested ahead of the celebrations. Her father was locked in the house. So, all these violations.” One of the lawmakers, Joyce Bagala, detailed some of the women’s grievances.
According to local media reports, Police officials were not readily available for comment. They were meeting with the speaker of parliament at the central police station where the legislators were being held.
The female opposition legislators are asking for parliament and the internal affairs ministry to acknowledge that the actions of security officers in blocking Women’s Day celebrations were illegal, irrational, and an affront to the right to associate and assemble.
Libyans in the western city of Zawiya demonstrated against paramilitary organizations on April,27 2023 according to locals. The protests was a response to allegations that the militia groups were enlisting migrants and engaging in acts of alleged torture.
Zawiya, some 45 kilometres (28 miles) west of the capital Tripoli, is a key departure point for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean for Europe, and many seek work there while awaiting the sea crossing.
More than a decade of violence in Libya since the fall and killing of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011 helped turn the country into a fertile ground for human traffickers who have been accused of abuses ranging from extortion to slavery.
Rights groups have repeatedly accused authorities and armed groups operating under state auspices of torture and other abuses.
One recent video circulating on social media purported to show Libyans being beaten by people presented as “African mercenaries”, migrants reportedly recruited by rival militias in the city.
Mohamad al-Khabouli, representative of the “Youth of Zawiya” group, said protests began late Wednesday, forcing the city council’s closure and blocking access to the oil refinery and roads to the city.
“Hundreds of young people protested, and called for a big demonstration to put pressure on these militias who employ migrants to be expelled from the city”, he said.
Angry residents gathered in the city centre, blocking roads and burning tyres, demanding justice and the expulsion of migrants.
The local authorities and the Tripoli government have not officially commented.
The eldest son of President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has announced that he will leave the army this year after nearly three decades of service.
The army commander, Muhoozi Kainerugaba tweeted the information.
“I will be retiring from the UPDF this year,” he tweeted.
He made a similar announcement on Twitter in March last year when he was the commander of land forces. But the army said it had not officially received Mr Kainerugaba’s retirement request.
His latest retirement remarks come days after he deleted a tweet announcing that he will stand for the presidency in 2026.
The tweeting general has not hidden his ambition to take over the top job from his 78-year-old father, who has led Uganda since 1986.
The Ugandan law does not allow serving soldiers to participate in politics.
