It is Day 3 of the Democracy Hub protest, which commenced last Saturday, and its convenor, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has expressed deep disappointment over the lack of support from professional bodies and civil society in Ghana.
In a passionate statement, Barker-Vormawor lamented, “Today should have been the day. Professional bodies, NGOs, journalists, lawyers, doctors, academics, unions; would hold press conferences announcing that they are all joining the last day of the protest. All those who released press statements calling for urgent action. They would have stepped out to increase the pressure on the government that has deployed 2,800 police officers to stop this protest. This is what they did in Kenya!”
He emphasized the importance of solidarity and the potential impact of unified action, stating, “They would have forced the State to arrest them. In the interest of the environment and the bigger message! This is the resilience of a society that refuses to give up! These are the things that change the course of history. We are letting a moment pass us by! Not in Ghana? My heart is truly heavy! Their silence is my biggest regret!”
The protest has seen demonstrators blocking roads and disrupting traffic, leading to the arrest of approximately 42 individuals by the police, who are set to face court proceedings.
As tensions rise, the call for unity among various sectors of society remains critical in the fight for accountability and change in Ghana.
As the protest continues, the absence of widespread participation from key professional groups raises questions about collective action and the role of civil society in advocating for reform.
