Amidst a tense confrontation between the Ghana Police Service and Democracy Hub demonstrators, several of them were taken into custody early on Sunday morning on suspicion of trying to obstruct significant roads near the 37 Military Hospital roundabout.
Members of the Democracy Hub have promised to carry out their demonstration, which aims to address numerous national concerns, despite the arrests. They remain undeterred.
In a statement, the police administration highlighted their commitment to making sure the demonstrators don’t interfere with traffic or the flow of people and cars through the area.
A police representative stated that the demonstrators’ attempts to obstruct important access points leading to the 37 roundabout were the reason behind the arrests.
“The actions of these protesters could have caused significant disruptions to traffic, so our officers had to step in,” a police spokesperson stated. Following the arrests, personnel from the Motor Traffic Unit was quickly deployed to manage traffic flow, ensuring that no further obstructions were caused by the protest.
Still, the protesters were not entirely quietened by this action. A few protestors who had escaped capture returned to the area hours after the arrests. They remained in the background this time, awaiting more help.
Speaking with TV3, a few of the returning demonstrators conveyed their annoyances while reiterating their resolve to carry on with the march. One of the demonstrators remarked, “We feel intimidated by the sheer number of police officers, but we will not give up on our cause.”
Hundreds of police officers have been stationed at the protest location in an effort to keep the peace. As of 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, a few vital routes that go to important locations, such as the Flagstaff House, remained blocked to vehicles.
On both the first and second days of the demonstration, fewer people attended due in part to the road closures and the increased security presence. Notwithstanding the obstacles, the demonstrators at Democracy Hub are unwavering in their resolve to forward their agenda, which demands increased government accountability on a number of urgent concerns.
The protest organizers have also criticized the police’s heavy-handed tactics, arguing that their rights to peaceful assembly are being infringed upon.
The police, on the other hand, maintain that their actions are necessary to ensure public safety and prevent any unlawful activities that could disrupt normal life in the capital.
Source: 3news.com
