President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo
A tweet from Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo resurfaced on X following reports of police attacking some protesters amid the ongoing #OccupyJulorbiHouse movement, which aims to tackle illegal mining activities, known locally as galamsey, and other issues in the country.
In a tweet on September 17, 2015, the President, who was then leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), expressed concern about the mistreatment of unarmed civilians by the Ghana Police Force during protests.
He said protesters should not be roughly treated for exercising their rights and stressed that such actions by police should become a thing of the past.
His tweet read: “Police violence against unarmed citizens exercising their constitutional rights must become a thing of the past. #NewVotersRegisterNow.”
In July, Democracy Hub announced its intention to hold a three-day demonstration in Revolution Square from September 21 to 23, 2024.
The protests aim to address major issues affecting the country, including unemployment, growing poverty, state takeover and corruption.
The #OccupyJulorbiHouse protests have led to some protesters being arrested.
On the second day of the #StopGalamseyNow protests, several members of the core group of protesters were arrested, with police claiming they were violent.
Additionally, a 62-year-old woman and an 8-year-old minor were also arrested but later released.
The Ghana Police Force came under heavy criticism from a netizen on Twitter (formerly known as X) for attacking a citizen who was exercising his constitutional right.
Below is a tweet from President Akufo-Addo on September 17, 2015.
Police violence against unarmed citizens exercising their constitutional rights must become a thing of the past. #NewVotersRegisterNow
— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) September 17, 2015
Master of Education