Two police officers have undergone emergency surgery following attacks on them during the Arise Ghana demonstration on Monday.
A statement on the Official Police Facebook page revealed that the Minister for Interior, Ambrose Dery and the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Akuffo Dampare have visited the injured officer at the Police Hospital in Accra.
“The number of officers who were injured during the first day of the Arise Ghana demonstration, increased from twelve (12) to fifteen (15). All the officers are being treated at the Police Hospital with two (2) undergoing emergency surgery.
“We are grateful to our sector Minister, Ambrose Dery, Minister for the Interior, for leading a team to visit the officers at the hospital,” the statement added.
The Police Administration wishes to express its appreciation to members of the public for their show of love and support for the affected officers.
Background
The Ghana Police Service has arrested twenty-nine people who allegedly took part in the attack on Police officers during the demonstration on Tuesday June 28, 2022.
A police statement further noted the organizers of the demonstration will be arrested and held responsible for the attacks on the Police.
Clashes erupted during the Krom Ay3 Hye demonstration in Accra as protestors pelted stones at Police prompting the firing of tear gas.
In an earlier statement, the Police stated that 12 of its officers sustained injuries after protestors pelted stones at them.
Police to prosecute offenders
The Ghana Police Administration has also disclosed that alleged offenders arrested during the Arise Ghana demonstration will be prosecuted.
The first day, Tuesday June 28 2022 of the two-day demonstration by the Arise Ghana group was marred by violent clashes between the Police and the demonstrators.
In commending the demonstrators and security personnel deployed, the Police also maintained that those arrested in connection with disturbances during day one of the demonstration will be made to face justice.
“We are grateful to the general public for their cooperation and understanding in the spite of the inconvenience the demonstration undoubtedly caused them.
“Whilst we continue to register our disappointment at the riotous conduct of the demonstrators on the first day, we commend them for their comportment today which, we hope would provide lessons for the future occasions to help deepen our democratic practices as country,” the police disclosed in a statement signed by Director Public Affairs, Grace Ansah-Akrofi.
She continued: Meanwhile, we wish to reiterate our commitment to the rule of law in this country and bring all those who breached the law during the demonstration, to face justice.”
However, a group calling itself, Lawyers in Search of Democracy (LINSOD) has expressed worry why the police have disallowed lawyer’s access to arrested person during demonstration.
“We are further appalled and disgusted by the fact that persons could be held without being informed of their crimes and their right to have access to counsel. There could be no better way of breaching the human rights of individuals than what is being displayed here.
“We are very disappointed in the Ghana Police for the lack of professionalism being displayed and the brazen display of sheer brute force. The police must live up to its label as a “service” and provide protection in a professionalism way to demonstrators,” spokesperson of the group, Chris-Arcmann Ackummey disclosed in a statement dated June 29, 2022.
