The Ghana Police Service has said that organisers of the Arise Ghana Demonstration on Tuesday flouted the court order preventing them from marching through the route leading to the Jubilee House.
A statement by the service, signed by Director of Public Affairs, Chief Superintendent Grace Ansah-Akrofi, stated that all attempts by the police to convince the protestors not to use the road leading to the Jubilee House were not successful.
The statement noted that the protestors, in defiance of the police’s attempt to redirect their routes, started hurling stones at the police, a step which compelled the police to apply tear gas and water cannons at them to subdue them.
Meanwhile, the police have reported that 12 officers have been injured following a raid on the personnel by the protestors. According to the police, they were taken to the Police Hospital and are currently receiving treatment.
A police statement earlier described the attack on the police officer as unacceptable. It read: “What a shame. We were there to protect you and ensure your safety, but you throw stones at us, injure and hurt us. This behaviour is unacceptable and must be condemned. “
The police noted further: “We wish to assure the public that all those involved in this violent demonstration will be brought to face justice.”
The Arise Ghana demonstration, according to the organisers, is to protest, among other things, the frequent hikes in fuel prices; the passage of the e-levy; the grabbing of state lands; to demand a full-scale, bi-partisan probe into the COVID-19 expenditures; and to demand a total cancellation of the Agyapa deal.
The 2-day demonstration, which was set to kickstart between 10am and 12pm on Tuesday, saw protestors turn up as early as 6.30am.
