Friday, 26 April

Arise Ghana demo: ‘What a shame; you injure, hurt us, but we were only there to protect you’ – Police

General News
A Police officer bleeding from the ear

The Ghana Police Service have described as "shameful and unacceptable" attacks on some officers deployed to protect Arise Ghana demonstrators in Accra today, Tuesday, 28 June 2022.

The Police said they were only there to protect the demonstrators but they [demonstrators] have turned around to attack them, hurting them in the process.

“What a shame, we were there to protect you and ensure your safety, but you throw stones at us, injure and hurt us. This behaviour is unacceptable and must be condemned,” the Police posted on Facebook.

A Police bus was also vandalised.

Meanwhile, the Police threw tear gas at the demonstrators and the reason for their action is currently unknown following a standoff between them and the demonstrators over the agreed route for the protest.

The demonstrators pelted the police with stones while the law enforcement officers formed a human wall to prevent the protestors from moving forward with their march.

Organisers of the Arise Ghana demonstration are marching against the persistent and astronomical hikes in fuel prices among others.

They are also protesting against the E-Levy, and want a bi-partisan parliamentary probe into COVID-19 expenditures as well as the cancellation of the controversial Agyapa deal.

Earlier the General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, had cautioned his men against any form of misconduct.

He urged his men to treat the demonstrators as they – the law enforcers – wish to be treated “if they were on the other side”.

Dr Dampare cautioned them to be as professional as they can and demonstrate to the world that Ghana is a beacon of democracy.

He said: “We should continue to remember that those demonstrators are human beings like us, those demonstrators are Ghanaians like us, they are our brothers and sisters and, therefore, we should treat them with all the respect, civility and the dignity each and every human being deserves”.

“In effect, we should treat them the way we would like to be treated if we were on the other side”.

The IGP explained: “It means, as you go out there, if anybody needs help, help the person; do that joyously, do that with love, do that with a sense of humility and humanity and as you do that you win the hearts of the demonstrators…”

 

Source: Classfmonline.com/Emmanuel Mensah