Policing in a democratic society – Tact, wits and circumspection Julorbi House Demonstration

The Democracy Hub’s Julorbi House demonstration organized to protest the high cost of living and economic crisis gripping the country that required tact, wits and circumspection was marred by police brutalities and arrest. It is acknowledged policing in a democratic society requires the use of various tactics, wits, and circumspection to ensure law enforcement is carried out in a fair and just manner.

Police have the discretion to determine how much power may be used when it comes to their powers, however, they must abide by the Rule of Law and the best international standards such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Police are obliged to protect all citizens equally without discrimination and without distinction as to sex, race, language, colour religion political affiliation, birth or other statuses,

Policing in a democratic society includes safeguarding the exercise of democratic activities. “The police must respect and protect the rights of freedom of speech, freedom of expression, association and movement, freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention and exile, and impartiality in the administration of law” (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, arts 10 & 11). It is a priority of law enforcement officials to avoid the use of force or try to at least minimise it to a minimum. Firearms should only be used when there is an imminent threat of death or serious injury to an individual and/or community. The Police’s highest priority is the admiration for and the fortification of life.

It is important for all Ghanaians, Civil Society Organisations, religious and traditional leaders to speak out against the use of excessive force by the police and to advocate for the protection of citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression. The right to demonstrate is inalienable as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana under Article 21(1)(d), which grants all persons the right to freedom of assembly, including the freedom to take part in processions and demonstrations.

Since the advent of the 4th republic, the Ghana Police Service has continued to play significant roles in ensuring peace and security in the country. However, in protecting citizens’ legitimate right of expression through demonstration, their professionalism has been questioned. The recent protests by the Democratic Hub on the high cost of living and economic crisis gripping the country led the Ghana Police Service to arrest protesters and, in some cases, allegedly subjecting protestors to in humane treating.

In some instances, the police formed boundaries to prevent protesters from embarking on their demonstration. The handling of demonstrations by the Ghana Police Service has raised concerns about the observance of human rights and the need for police reform to ensure that law enforcement is carried out in a fair and just manner. These incidents have led to criticisms of the Ghana Police Service’s professionalism in handling demonstrations and the need for reforms to ensure that citizens’ rights to expression are protected. The hindrances posed by the Ghana Police Service have been considered the biggest and most impactful demonstration in the fourth republic.

In recent protests, the police formed boundaries to prevent protesters from embarking on their demonstration to deliver their petition to the President or his representative at the Jubilee House, the seat of government. The handling of demonstrations by the Ghana Police Service has raised concerns about the observance of human rights and the need for police reform to ensure that law enforcement is carried out in a fair and just manner. During the Julorbi House demonstration, police brutalities were again evident as protestors were prevented from exercising their rights. The claim of injunction applications by the police notwithstanding, tact and circumspection could have been used to avoid the needless clash with the police. Some of the incidents that occurred during the protest include:

The police arrested protesters during the Julorbi House demonstration, which has been criticized as pointless, an abuse of power, and unnecessary. There were reports of police brutality towards the protesters during the demonstration. The protesters were advocating for various reforms, including a reduction in the cost of living. Unlawful arrests and intimidation: There were accusations of unlawful arrests and intimidation of protesters by the police. Many Ghanaians have described the police’s actions as poor development and unacceptable.

Many Ghanaians, including President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, have acknowledged the difficulties the country is facing. Demonstrations give citizens the right to engage leaders of the country to expedite efforts in bringing some level of relief.

All Ghanaians, Civil Society Organisations, religious and traditional leaders, and political parties express your abhorrence to the carnage visited on unarmed demonstrators who were legitimately taking part in our democratic governance.

Kweku Adu-Gyamfi