Ghanaian police announced the arrest of three additional protesters on Monday, including Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a prominent leader of the Democracy Hub group. This follows the detention of 42 individuals during recent protests in Accra that focused on illegal mining practices and the country’s ongoing economic hardships.
The protests, organized by Democracy Hub, began on Friday and were scheduled to last until Monday. Participants, primarily young people, took to the streets of Accra, chanting patriotic songs and carrying placards that expressed their frustrations over environmental degradation linked to illegal mining and their dissatisfaction with the government’s perceived mismanagement of the economy.
Police spokesperson Grace Ansah-Akrofi stated that Barker-Vormawor was arrested for his involvement in various unlawful activities during the protests. She highlighted that the gatherings were deemed illegal and emphasized that some demonstrators attacked police officers who were performing their duties. The charges faced by those arrested include obstructing traffic, damaging property, and causing disturbances.
In previous statements, police reported that protesters engaged in several acts of lawlessness, such as removing the ignition key from a police vehicle, throwing it away, and pushing down barriers. Ansah-Akrofi reiterated the police’s commitment to bringing all responsible parties to justice, asserting that maintaining public order is a priority.
Barker-Vormawor, who had been declared wanted for allegedly evading arrest, countered the police’s narrative by describing their claims as “baseless and misleading.” He asserted that he had been in consistent communication with senior police officials about his whereabouts, asserting his willingness to cooperate with the authorities.
In response to the ongoing situation, Democracy Hub issued a statement urging the authorities to engage in constructive dialogue with protest leaders. They emphasized the need to protect the rights and safety of all participants in the protests, stressing the importance of open communication between the government and civil society.
These protests occur as Ghana gears up for a presidential election scheduled for December, with economic issues dominating the campaign discourse. Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, representing the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), is running against former President John Mahama of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The backdrop of these protests is Ghana’s gradual recovery from a severe financial crisis that reached its peak in 2022, leading the nation to default on its external debt. Inflation, which had soared to 54% in December 2022, has seen a decline, dropping to 20.4% last month. With President Nana Akufo-Addo stepping down after two terms, Bawumia is spearheading the ruling party’s campaign to retain power. His bid is supported by a $3 billion relief package from the International Monetary Fund aimed at stabilizing the economy, which is heavily reliant on key exports such as oil, gold, and cocoa.
As the political landscape evolves, the intersection of economic struggles and civil protests highlights the urgent need for government accountability and public engagement in Ghana’s democratic processes.