Some protesters at the ‘Hands Off Our Hotels’ demonstration have suffered various degrees of injury. Four of them reportedly received first aid treatment from the ambulance service after police used pepper spray on them.
This incident happened at Christ The King Church, near the Jubilee House, when protestors persisted in continuing past the prearranged end line.
According to reports, when the police forcibly prevented the crowd from advancing, some of the protesters threw sachet water at them.
Several people were injured when some officers used pepper spray in a moment of panic.
At one point, tear gas was also used to scatter the swarming mob.
Bernard Mornah, the former National Chairman of the People’s National Convention (PNC), chastised the police for their actions.
“Why were the police throwing tear gas at this time? Why did they want to scatter a peaceful protest that had come to a climax as if they planned to do this,” he said.
He indicated that “The IGP must wake up from his slumber” adding that “that unprofessionalism by the Ghana Police must cease.”
In the midst of intense security, Mr. Ablakwa handed a copy of the petition to a Jubilee House representative shortly after, bringing a sense of calm back.
The goal of the petition is to persuade the government to stop leasing four hotels to Bryan Acheampong, the Minister of Food and Agriculture,’s Rock City Hotel.
The hotels in question are the Elmina Beach Resort, Busua Beach Resort, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, and Labadi Beach Hotel.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa argues that the sale of state-owned properties to government officials constitutes a clear abuse of power that should not be tolerated.
A wide range of people, from opposing political organisations to concerned citizens and civil society organisations, have expressed support for the demonstration. They are all against what they see as a possibly harmful and unethical transaction.