Kufour speaks amidst abuse, arrest of #OccupyJulorbiHouse protesters by police
Kufour speaks amidst abuse, arrest of #OccupyJulorbiHouse protesters by police
Former President John Agyekum Kufour has reaffirmed his belief in the importance of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in governance and a country’s development.
He shared this sentiment in a tweet on September 21, 2023, reflecting on his previous remarks from 2008 in light of recent events involving the unlawful arrest of demonstrators associated with the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest in Ghana.
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In his tweet, President Kufour stressed the significance of upholding human rights, promoting democracy, adhering to the rule of law, and conducting fair elections as fundamental elements of good governance and the advancement of peace and security.
https://x.com/johnakufuor/status/1704887033271898343?s
The context of this statement revolves around the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protests organized by the Democracy Hub, during which 49 protesters were arrested without proper legal justification by the Ghana Police Service. These demonstrators were advocating for action against economic crises and corruption.
The arrests led to criticism, with concerns raised about the violation of the constitutional right to protest and allegations of excessive force by the police.
The detained protesters were taken to various police stations in the capital, and there were reported instances of police violence against journalists and protesters.
Initially, the police defended the arrests by claiming that the protesters had defied a court injunction, which the protesters disputed, arguing that the injunction had not been properly served.
By the end of the day, most of the detained protesters had been released on bail. The situation remained uncertain for the following day of the protest targeting the Jubilee House, the government’s headquarters.
President Kufour’s statement highlights the ongoing discussion and concerns regarding the protection of civil liberties, freedom of expression, and the right to protest in Ghana, as well as broader issues related to governance and the rule of law.
