GHANAIAN police announced on Monday that they had arrested three more protesters, including Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the leader of the Democracy Hub group, following clashes in Accra. The arrests come a day after 42 people were detained during demonstrations against illegal mining and economic hardship in the country.
The protests, which began on Friday and were expected to run until Monday, were organised by Democracy Hub, a group advocating for social justice and economic reforms. Demonstrators, mainly youths, marched through the capital, Accra, voicing their anger at the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining and the perceived economic mismanagement by the government.
Police actions
Grace Ansah-Akrofi, a spokesperson for the Ghana Police Service, confirmed that Barker-Vormawor had been taken into custody. ‘The Ghana Police Service has arrested Oliver Barker-Vormawor for the various unlawful acts he was involved in,’ she said in a statement.
The demonstrators were reported to have clashed with police, leading to accusations that they obstructed traffic, damaged property, and disrupted public peace. ‘These individuals assembled unlawfully and attacked police officers performing their lawful duties,’ Ansah-Akrofi added.
According to police, protesters also removed the ignition key from a police vehicle, pushed down barriers, and created disturbances. The authorities have vowed to bring all responsible individuals to justice.
Protest leader’s response
Police had declared Barker-Vormawor wanted for allegedly evading arrest and said a manhunt for him was underway. Barker-Vormawor, however, denied the allegations, calling the police’s claim ’baseless and misleading.’ He stated that he had been in communication with senior police officers regarding his whereabouts.
Democracy Hub released a statement urging the authorities to engage in constructive dialogue with protest leaders to protect the rights and safety of all participants.
Ghana’s economic challenges
The protests come as Ghana approaches its December presidential election, with the economy central to the campaign. The contest sees Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) facing off against former president John Mahama of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Ghana’s economy, which was severely impacted by a financial crisis in 2022, is gradually recovering. Inflation, which peaked at 54 percent in December 2022, has now eased to 20.4 percent as of last month. The country is stabilising its economy with a $3-billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund.
Despite these improvements, public frustration remains high, particularly regarding environmental damage caused by illegal mining and concerns about economic mismanagement, driving the recent wave of protests.
With President Nana Akufo-Addo stepping down after two terms, Vice President Bawumia is aiming to secure the NPP’s continued rule as Ghana navigates its economic recovery. However, these ongoing protests reflect deep-seated concerns about the country’s governance and economic direction.
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