By James Amoh Junior, GNA
Accra, Sept. 30, GNA – A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has condemned the actions of the Ghana Police Service following reports of police manhandling, arbitrary arrests, and the detention of protesters in Accra.
The CSOs described the actions as a “grave violation of human rights” and a concerning deterioration of Ghana’s democratic standing.
The protests, organized by Democracy Hub, aimed to draw attention to government accountability, highlighting growing public dissatisfaction over “worsening economic conditions, persistent corruption, and the ongoing environmental devastation caused by illegal mining (locally known as Galamsey)”.
Protesters also voiced concerns about governance issues threatening the country’s water bodies and environmental sustainability.
The statement, copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and endorsed by 34 CSOs including the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), STAR Ghana Foundation, Civic Space Resource Hub (CSR-Hub) for CSOs in West Africa as leads, warned that the recent developments undermined Ghana’s reputation as a democratic beacon in West Africa.
The statement highlighted the downgrade of Ghana’s civic space status to “Obstructed” in the Civicus ‘People Power Under Attack’ report, citing increasing restrictions on peaceful protests and freedom of speech.
They also referenced findings from the World Press Freedom Index and Afrobarometer, which reflected growing concerns over the erosion of civil liberties in the country.
The groups further underscored the constitutional right to peaceful assembly as enshrined in Article 21 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, and said, “These rights are non-negotiable pillars of our democracy.”
While the CSOs acknowledged the necessity of lawful arrests when protesters violated the law, they insisted that such arrests must be carried out lawfully, with full respect for the rights of those detained,, including the right to bail.
The coalition urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to publicly address these alleged violations and called for the immediate release of all protesters unjustly detained.
They also demanded an independent investigation into the conduct of law enforcement during the protests, which saw numerous individuals arrested without any indication of their whereabouts.
“As we approach the general elections, this moment is crucial for Ghana’s democratic journey. Any regression may be costly if not decisively and promptly addressed,” the statement warned.
The CSOs stressed that the government must act swiftly to restore public confidence in its commitment to human rights and democracy.
They urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his government to work collaboratively with civil society to address the issues raised and reaffirm Ghana’s commitment to democratic principles, including transparency, civic participation, and justice.
“The sanctity of our democracy depends on respect for the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the rights of citizens to hold their leaders accountable,” the statement added.
GNA