The Ghana Police Service has confirmed the arrest of several demonstrators from the Democracy Hub group following their involvement in unlawful activities during a protest in Accra. The protest, which initially focused on the economic situation in Ghana, took an unexpected turn and was rebranded as an anti-galamsey (illegal mining) demonstration.
According to a statement from the police, the demonstrators blocked roads, toppled police barriers, and obstructed traffic at the 37 Roundabout, one of the busiest intersections in the city. This disruption caused major traffic congestion, hindering the movement of commuters and raising public safety concerns. As a result, law enforcement officers were deployed to restore order and ensure the safety of the public.
The police also revealed that a manhunt is currently underway to apprehend one of the leaders of the protest, Oliver Vormawor, who was allegedly involved in acts of lawlessness during the demonstration. Vormawor, who is known for his involvement in various protests, was captured in a viral video engaging in actions that further aggravated the situation.
In one of the videos circulating online, Vormawor is seen approaching a police vehicle, taking a key from the vehicle, and throwing it away before fleeing the scene. This act has drawn widespread condemnation from the public and heightened calls for his immediate arrest. In a separate video, he is also captured toppling police barricades without any apparent provocation, further escalating tensions between the protesters and law enforcement officers.
The police are working diligently to track down Vormawor and other individuals involved in these unlawful activities, emphasizing their commitment to upholding law and order in the country. They have warned that anyone found to be involved in the disruption will face the full force of the law.
This protest is one of several organized by the Democracy Hub group, which has been vocal about various issues, including economic hardships, governance, and corruption. However, the group’s decision to rebrand the protest as an anti-galamsey demonstration has raised eyebrows, as it was initially advertised as a protest against the rising cost of living. The sudden shift in focus has left some members of the public questioning the group’s agenda and motives.
Illegal mining, known as galamsey, has been a major issue in Ghana for years, contributing to environmental degradation, water pollution, and deforestation. The government has made efforts to combat galamsey, but the issue remains a contentious one, with many Ghanaians calling for stricter enforcement of mining regulations and harsher penalties for those involved in illegal mining activities. It is unclear why the Democracy Hub chose to shift the focus of their protest to this issue, but some speculate that it may be an attempt to capitalize on public sentiment surrounding galamsey.
As the situation unfolds, the police are urging the public to remain calm and avoid any further participation in unlawful activities. They have also appealed to organizers of protests to ensure that their activities are carried out in a peaceful and lawful manner, in accordance with the law.
The arrest of the demonstrators has sparked mixed reactions among Ghanaians, with some supporting the police’s actions to maintain law and order, while others have criticized the handling of the situation, claiming that the protesters were exercising their constitutional right to demonstrate.
Nonetheless, the police have reiterated that while the right to protest is enshrined in the Constitution, it must be done within the confines of the law. Blocking roads, obstructing traffic, and engaging in acts of violence, they assert, are clear violations of the law and will not be tolerated.
The police are continuing their investigations into the events that transpired during the protest, and they have assured the public that anyone involved in unlawful activities will be brought to justice. The authorities have also vowed to take necessary measures to prevent future disruptions of this nature, as they prioritize the safety and security of the public.
As law enforcement agencies intensify their efforts to restore calm, the actions of Oliver Vormawor and other protesters remain a topic of national debate. The outcome of the ongoing manhunt and the subsequent legal proceedings will likely shape public discourse on the balance between the right to protest and the need for public order.
While the Democracy Hub group remains defiant, vowing to continue their protests, the police have made it clear that they will not hesitate to enforce the law to prevent further disturbances. Ghanaians now await the resolution of this situation, hoping that peace and order will be restored in the wake of these events.
