No pregnant woman or child was arrested at Democracy Hub demo –Police

The Ghana Police Service has refuted claims on social media that it arrested an elderly woman and a pregnant woman at the recent Democracy Hub anti-galamsey demonstration in Accra.

Thursday, September 26, 2024 saw the Police release a statement in which they referred to the accusations as “completely false” and intended to deceive the public.

“We want to state unequivocally that no pregnant woman or elderly lady with a child was arrested during the demonstration. These rumours are false and are intended to cause unnecessary panic and stir distrust in the Police Service,” The statement said.

The fabricated allegations, which went viral online, claimed that among those held during the demonstration were a pregnant lady, a 68-year-old woman, and a 12-year-old child.

The Police, however, vehemently denied these accusations.

“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,” the Police emphasised.

To shed light on the kid-related scenario during the rally, the police said that Grace Asantewaa, a 50-year-old protestor, was carrying a child.

“In the course of the arrest, Police realised that one of the suspects, Grace Asantewaa, 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.

“At the station, Police provided the child with food, and for the sake of the child, her guardian was granted a Police enquiry bail and allowed to go home with the child.”

According to the Police, Grace Asantewaa has been accused of violating Section 71 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) by bringing a child to the demonstration, so exposing her to risk.

Although the Police acknowledged that a number of protestors had been arrested for violating the restrictions of the demonstration, they insisted that none of the people who had been arrested fit the characteristics found in the fake allegations that were going viral on the internet.

The statement issued cautioned that “false information such as this can cause unnecessary fear and disrupt public order.” It also stated that “these false reports are likely intended to tarnish the image of the Police and stir public anger.”

Additionally, the police urged the public to share information responsibly, particularly on social media.

“We urge the public to be responsible in sharing information. We want to reiterate that all arrests made were within the confines of the law and in response to clear violations of the agreed terms of the protest.”

Read the full statement below:

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com