VIDEO: Tear Gas Fired On ARISE Ghana Protestors, Police Pelted With Stones
Peacefmonline.com can confirm that there is simmering tension at the ongoing demonstration by ARISE Ghana group after Police personnel fired tear gas on the agitated protestors.
The pressure group is currently protesting the harsh economic conditions in the country and some unfavourable policies of government.
PeaceFM's Odenhufuor Jackson who witnessed the scene reports that the incident was triggered when some of the protesters decided to veer off approved routes outlined by the police and use an alternative one.
In the course of the standoff, some of the protestors attempted to breach the human barricade of policemen and force their way through, but were fiercely resisted. Their intention, according to PeaceFm's Jackson was to head towards the direction of the seat of government; the Jubilee House.
Seeing their action had been repelled, the frustrated protestors started pelting the police with stones, forcing the police resort to the firing of tear gas and the use of water cannons against the demonstrators.
Approve Route & Protest Duration
Arise Ghana had earlier announced its intention to demonstrate in front of the Jubilee House on the night of June 28 and 29. But the police sought a court ruling on the time and location of an intended protest.
An Accra High Court on Monday ruled that the demonstration could only be staged between the hours of 8 am to 4 pm. The court additionally directed that the protest should commence at the Obra Spot in Accra and end at the Independence Square.
The group claimed they had filed a stay of execution against that particular ruling so there was no way the police should alter their planned route, but the security agency would have none of it.
Tuesday's incident could perhaps be seen as an enforcement of the court's orders by the police.
Why The Protest?
Dubbed #KromAyeShe, the purpose of the 2day demonstration, is to protest against persistent and astronomical hikes in fuel prices by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government that has imposed excruciating economic hardships on Ghanaians.
It is also to protest against the imposition of “the obnoxious E-Levy on the already-burdened Ghanaian people by the insensitive Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government.
“Demand a full scale and bi-partisan parliamentary probe into COVID-19 expenditures; Protest against the grabbing of State lands by officials of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government, particularly the de-classification of huge portions of the Achimota Forest reserve.
“Protest against the increased rate of police brutalities and state-sponsored killing of innocent Ghanaians, as well as the growing culture of human rights abuses under the watch of President Akufo-Addo and Alhaji Bawumia.”
Twitter To The Rescue?
Meanwhile, the Police administration has described the pelting of stones incident as shameful and unacceptable, so their presence was only to ensure the safety of the demonstartors.
In a tweet on its official twitter handle, it said;
Attack on Police in the Ongoing Arise Ghana Demonstration
What a shame, we were there to protect you and ensure your safety, but you throw stones at us, injure and hurt us.
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