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In a tense standoff between Democracy Hub protesters and the Ghana Police Service, some of them were arrested early Sunday morning for allegedly attempting to block major roads in the vicinity of the 37 Military Hospital roundabout.

Despite the arrests, members of the Democracy Hub remain undeterred and have vowed to continue their demonstration, which seeks to address various national concerns.


The police administration, in a statement, reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the protesters do not obstruct traffic or disrupt the movement of people and vehicles in the area.

According to a police representative, the arrests were a result of the demonstrators’ attempts to block key access routes leading to the 37 roundabout.

“The actions of these protesters could have caused significant disruptions to traffic, so our officers had to step in,” a police spokesperson stated. Following the arrests, personnel from the Motor Traffic Unit was quickly deployed to manage traffic flow, ensuring that no further obstructions were caused by the protest.


However, this intervention did not completely silence the demonstrators. Hours after the arrests, some protesters who had managed to escape apprehension returned to the scene. This time, they stayed in the background, waiting for reinforcements.

Speaking to TV3, some of the returning protesters expressed their frustrations but reiterated their determination to continue the demonstration. “We feel intimidated by the sheer number of police officers, but we will not give up on our cause,” one of the protesters said.

The police presence at the protest site has been significant, with hundreds of officers deployed to maintain order. Some critical roads leading to key areas, including the Flagstaff House, were still closed to traffic as of 5:00pm on Sunday.

The road closures, along with the heavy security presence, have contributed to the reduced turnout for the protest on both the first and second days. Despite the challenges, the Democracy Hub protesters remain resolute, vowing to push forward with their agenda, which calls for greater accountability from the government on various pressing issues.

The protest organizers have also criticized the police’s heavy-handed tactics, arguing that their rights to peaceful assembly are being infringed upon.

The police, on the other hand, maintain that their actions are necessary to ensure public safety and prevent any unlawful activities that could disrupt normal life in the capital.

 

Head of Police Public Affairs

As the standoff continues, all eyes will be on how the situation develops in the coming days. Will the protesters gain more support, or will the police’s presence continue to diminish the momentum of the demonstration?

As the situation remains fluid, protesters and police are locked in a delicate balance. While Democracy Hub members are determined to keep their movement alive, the police have vowed to maintain law and order, setting the stage for what could be a long standoff if no resolutions are reached soon.

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By Joseph Armstrong Gold-Alorgbey