Police admit it unlawfully detained 2 protesters for more than 48hrs

The Ghana Police Service (GPS) has acknowledged detaining two protesters from the recent three-day #ReoccupyJulorbiHouse and #StopGalamseyNow demonstrations, organized by Democracy Hub, for more than 48 hours.

There had been previous claims from protesters and other individuals that some demonstrators were detained beyond the permitted 48 hours before they were put before the court.

In a statement issued on Thursday, September 26, the police described the situation as unfortunate and said that they had directed the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) to investigate the matter.

“As part of our efforts to be transparent, and maintain high ethical and professional standards, the Police Administration has directed the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB, formerly PIPS) to investigate the circumstances under which two of the suspects were kept in Police custody beyond 48 hours without being sent to court, for the necessary disciplinary action to be taken against those responsible,” the police said.

The police also refuted reports that a 12-year-old girl, a 68-year-old woman, and a pregnant woman were among the arrested protesters and urged the public to disregard these allegations.

“In the case of the 12-year-old child and the 68-year-old woman, in the course of the arrest, Police realized that one of the suspects, Grace “Asantewaa, a 50-year-old woman, who is being reported as a 68-year-old, had a child with her. In order not to separate the child from the woman, the child was allowed to accompany her to the Police Station.

“At the Police Station, police provided the child with food and for the sake of the child, her guardian, Grace Asantewaa, was granted a Police enquiry bail and allowed to go home with the child. The Ghana Poke Service has charged Grace Asantewaa with the offence of exposing a child to danger, by bringing her to the demonstration grounds, contrary to section 71 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29),” part of the statement read.

On Thursday, September 26, the Accra Circuit Court remanded Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the convener of the #FixTheCountry protest, along with 12 other protesters, into police custody.

These arrests stemmed from the demonstrations at the 37 Roundabout, where protesters voiced concerns over illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) and economic mismanagement.

This brings the total number of protesters remanded to 51.