The Ghana Police Service has issued a statement following the end of a three-day demonstration by the Democracy Hub Group. The statement expresses gratitude to members of the public for their support and understanding while the Police worked to maintain law and order during the demonstration. It also apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the demonstration, especially the vehicular holdups.
The Police statement also assures the public that the Service is not against any person or group of persons who may want to demonstrate. It has a track record of providing security for demonstrations in the past and would continue to do so within the confines of the law. The Police therefore urge the general public to continue to partner with them as they work towards deepening Ghana’s democratic credentials and maintaining peace and security in the country.
The Police statement is a positive sign of the Police Service’s commitment to upholding the right to peaceful protest. It is also a reminder of the importance of cooperation between the Police and the public in ensuring that demonstrations are conducted peacefully and without disruption to public order.
The three-day demonstration by the Democracy Hub Group was held to demand electoral reforms and to raise awareness of alleged human rights abuses by the Police. The demonstration was largely peaceful, but there were some reports of clashes between the Police and protesters.
The Ghana Police Service has a long history of working with civil society groups to facilitate peaceful protests. In recent years, the Police have been praised for their professionalism in handling demonstrations, even when the protests have been critical of the government.
The Police statement following the end of the Democracy Hub Group demonstration is a welcome sign of the Police Service’s continued commitment to upholding the right to peaceful protest. It is also a reminder of the importance of cooperation between the Police and the public in ensuring that demonstrations are conducted peacefully and without disruption to public order.