The Ghana Police have condemned the actions of the Democracy Hub demonstrators, labeling them as unGhanaian, uncivil, and unlawful.
They accused the group of violating legal regulations during their protest on September 21, warning that they would take all necessary legal measures to maintain traffic flow and minimize disruption for the public in future demonstrations.
The conflict arose from a disagreement over the protest location, prompting the Police to initiate a special operation aimed at ensuring safety and order in the city.
Consequently, several roads around the 37 Intersection were blocked, and traffic was redirected in parts of Accra.
Officers from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department were deployed to manage traffic and assist motorists.
The Police’s statement highlighted that the demonstrators unlawfully occupied the 37 Intersection, engaging in activities such as blocking traffic with vehicles and stones, setting fires, harassing road users, verbally abusing police officers, banging on vehicles, and even playing football in the street.
“The Democracy Hub demonstrators unlawfully took over the 37 Intersection and engaged in the following acts among others, intended to cause extreme inconvenience to the general public. They blocked the intersection in all directions with vehicles and stones, set fire in the Intersection, harassed other road users, abused Police officers, banged on vehicles and played football in the road.
“These unGhanaian, uncivil and unlawful acts of the demonstrators caused extreme inconvenience to commuters who were caught in traffic for several hours, persons in need of medical care had difficulty reaching the medical facilities, families visiting their loved ones who are on admission at the hospital had difficulty getting to them with essential supplies, there were delays in people attending social and cultural activities such as funerals which define us as a people and there was a negative impact on commercial activities including people missing their flights and others not being able to access their businesses.”
These actions, they stated, caused significant disruption for commuters, delayed access to medical facilities, and hindered families from reaching hospitals with essential supplies.
Additionally, social activities, such as funerals, were affected, and commercial operations suffered, with people missing flights and unable to access their businesses.
The Police emphasized that these actions suggested a lack of intent for a peaceful protest.
“Therefore, we are cautioning the organizers that the Police will not allow them to demonstrate at the 37 Intersection but should move the demonstration to any of the seven locations the Police proposed to them and we will be available to provide the necessary security.
“However, if the organizers insist on embarking on the demonstration in the same manner as they did on the first day, at the 37 Intersection or at any unauthorized locations, the Police will use all lawful means possible to ensure the free movement of traffic and prevent undue inconvenience to the general public. We would like to once again thank the public for your cooperation and wish to assure you that the Police will continue to ensure security, law and order.”
They cautioned the organizers that future demonstrations would not be permitted at the 37 Intersection and encouraged them to choose from seven proposed locations where police would provide security.
If the group persists in protesting at unauthorized sites, the Police stated they would take lawful actions to ensure traffic movement and public convenience.
They expressed gratitude to the public for their cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining security and order.
