The Police have denied reports of using force against anyone during the Democracy Hub demonstration last weekend, despite provocations.
Following the violence that characterized the protest, the Police said that 54 persons were arrested and all of them have been put before the court in line with the due process of the law.
The Office of the Attorney-General is prosecuting the case.
Following the arrests, the Police said their attention was drawn to reports suggesting that a 12-year-old child, a 68-year-old woman, and a pregnant woman were among those arrested and detained.
“We would like to categorically state that all these are false. We, therefore, urge the public to disregard these reports and treat them with the contempt they deserve. In the case of the 12-year-old child and the 68-year-old woman, in the course of the arrest, Police realized that one of the suspects, Grace Asantewaa, a 50-year-old woman, who is being reported as a 68-year-old, had a child with her. In order not to separate the child from the woman, the child was allowed to accompany her to the Police Station,” a statement said.
At the Police Station, the statement added, the Police said they provided the child with food and for the sake of the child, her guardian, Grace Asantewaa, was granted a Police enquiry bail and allowed to go home with the child.
“The Ghana Police Service has charged Grace Asantewaa with the offence of exposing a child to danger, by bringing her to the demonstration grounds, contrary to section 71 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
“We would like to use this opportunity to advise members of the public to be mindful of involving our beloved children in activities that have the potential to expose them to danger,” the statement said.
In the case of the alleged pregnant woman, Gloria Vera Louise, the Police clarified that at the time of the arrest, there was no visible indication that she was pregnant.
“Additionally, at no point during the arrest or subsequent interactions did the said suspect inform the Police of a pregnancy. Again, there was no communication to the court of any such condition, either by herself or through her lawyers.
“In order to establish the veracity or otherwise of the claim in the public domain of the alleged pregnancy, the Police took the initiative and sent her to the Police Hospital and an independent health facility for a thorough medical examination. Both medical results came out negative, suggesting that Gloria Vera Louise, is not pregnant as claimed.
As part of our efforts to be transparent, and maintain high ethical and professional standards, the Police Administration has directed the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB, formerly PIPS) to investigate the circumstances under which two of the suspects were kept in Police custody beyond 48 hours without being sent to court, for necessary disciplinary action to be taken against those responsible.
“We would like to once again assure the public that the Police remain committed to nurturing our growing democratic freedoms by providing the necessary security for individuals and groups to exercise their constitutional right to protest safely and peacefully in accordance with the laws governing protests in our beloved country.”
