The Ghana Police Service has expressed its desire to hold a debriefing session with the organizers of the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protests following the conclusion of the three-day demonstration. The purpose of this session is to facilitate more productive engagement with the organizers in the future.
In a statement signed by ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, the Director of Public Affairs of the Police Service, it was stated, “As the demonstration has come to an end, we look forward to meeting with the organizers for a debriefing session with them with the aim of fostering a more fruitful engagement in the future.”
The statement also conveyed the police’s appreciation for the collaboration of the organizers during the demonstrations.
The police had filed an injunction application on Wednesday, September 20, to prevent the group from proceeding with their planned protest. In response, the group leaders insisted on going ahead with the protest.
On Thursday, September 21, the police stopped the group from gathering at Jubilee House due to their defiance of police orders. During this incident, 49 members of Democracy Hub were arrested. Additionally, a BBC journalist and his cameraman were detained, and Metro TV’s Bridget Otoo was subjected to mistreatment by the police.
Despite these challenges, the group continued its protest on Friday and Saturday, with the police preventing them from marching to the Jubilee House.
Read below a statement by the police
POLICE STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE END OF A THREE-DAY DEMONSTRATION BY DEMOCRACY HUB GROUP
1. Following the end of the three-day demonstration by the above-mentioned group, the Police would like to express gratitude to members of the public, especially those in Accra, for their support and understanding while we worked within our mandate to maintain law and order during the demonstration.
2. The Police would also like to apologize to members of the public who were inconvenienced in one way or the other, especially those who were caught up in the vehicular holdups during the demonstration.
3. As the demonstration has come to an end, we look forward to meeting with the organizers for a debriefing session with them with the aim of fostering a more fruitful engagement in the future.
4. We would like to assure the public once again, that the Service is not against any person or group of persons who may want to demonstrate. We have a track record of providing security for demonstrations in the past and would continue to do so within the confines of the law.
5. We, therefore, urge the general public to continue to partner us, as we work towards deepening our democratic credentials and maintaining peace and security in our beloved country.
