The University Teachers Association of Ghana, University of Ghana Branch (UTAG-UG) has waded into the arrest and alleged mistreatment of peaceful demonstrators by the Ghana Police Service during the #Occupy JulorBiHouse protest
The incident occurred on September 21, 2023, near the 37 Military Hospital where citizens had gathered to embark on a peaceful demonstration to the Jubilee House.
The demonstrators aimed to express their concerns about issues of corruption and economic mismanagement, which they believe have caused significant hardship for many Ghanaians.
However, the peaceful protest was met with disruption and a heavy-handed response from the police leading to mass arrests, alleged mistreatment, torture, assault, and abuse.
UTAG-UG, in a statement, condemned and underscored that the actions of the police amounted to a violation of citizens’ constitutional rights, including the rights to freedom of assembly, speech, association, movement, and dignity, all guaranteed in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
“These rights are fundamental to the democratic principles upon which the nation is built, and their curtailment poses a threat to democracy itself,” the statement said.
The association expressed concern over the growing tendency for the police to seek court injunctions to prevent constitutionally guaranteed expressions of dissent, instead of fulfilling their constitutional duty to protect citizens.
UTAG-UG emphasized the importance of learning from recent events in the subregion and safeguarding Ghana’s democratic experiment.
“As a group comprising experts in various fields, including law, democracy, human rights, and security, UTAG-UG found the abuse of power and disregard for constitutional rights deeply troubling.”
The association called on all parties involved to exercise caution and uphold the principles of the rule of law, which are the bedrock of all democracies.
UTAG-UG urged the police and the justice system to adhere to the law in the discharge of their duties and called on concerned citizens and stakeholders to denounce arbitrary actions, brutality, and perceived bias in policing.