The Deputy National Youth Organsier of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Edem Agbana, has accused the Ghana Police Service of taking his phones during the first day of the Arise Ghana demonstration.
In an interview with JoyNews, the activist narrated that, his devices were taken from him during an interaction with the Police in the heat of the exchanges that marred Tuesday’s protest.
“I’m a leader. I was leading my people to have a positive defiance. I must not leave my people and run away. I was there with them. My phones were taken by the Police.
“I am telling you that it is the Police people who stole my two phones. I strapped my phones around me, the Police took my phones away from me, but I refused to run away”, Mr. Agbana explained.
In a subsequent Facebook post on Tuesday, the NDC national executive urged his followers to contact him through email or a direct Facebook message.
“I lost my phones today. Kindly send an email or a Direct Message if you urgently need to get in touch. Thank You’, he wrote.
The allegation by Mr. Agbana adds to the tales of unfortunate incidents which characterised Tuesday’s demonstration in the capital, Accra.
Starting in the late hours of the morning, scores of angry protesters converged at the Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle to participate in what the organisers described as the ‘Krom ayɛ shi demo’.
According to the organisers, the protest was to draw government’s attention to the increasing hardship in the country and other pertinent challenges such as youth unemployment, corruption amongst others.
Clad in red and black regalia, the demonstrators wielded placards with inscriptions highlighting their agitations and sentiments.
According to JoyNews’ Manuel Koranteng, who covered the event, the protest saw hundreds of young men and women venting their frustrations about the state of affairs in the country.
But what started as a coordinated protest soon degenerated into chaos; with the Police firing tear gas into the crowd. According to the Police, this was in reaction to some errant protesters who were bent on using unapproved routes.
The Police were also pelted by some protesters who accused the personnel of deliberately obstructing the flow of activities. This led to some police officers sustaining injuries, with some protesters being wounded as well.
Following the violent exchanges, the Ghana Police Service has condemned the developments and begun investigations into the incidents.
Meanwhile, the protest is expected to continue today, Wednesday June 29. The protesters are expected to converge at the El-Wak Sports Stadium with Police protection.
