The protesters of #OccupyJulorbiHouse and #StopGalamsey, organised by the Democracy Hub, did not show up on Day 3, the final day of the protest, as previously communicated by the group.

This was due to mass arrests by the Ghana Police Service on Day 2, Sunday, September 22, 2024, following chaotic scenes and violent incidents that occurred during the event.

Videos by GhanaWeb show the 37 Roundabout, the converging point for the protesters, calm, with police presence and a free flow of traffic. However, some parts of the road have been blocked off with police barricades.

A police statement issued on September 22, 2024, announced the arrest of 42 protesters. According to the police, the arrested individuals engaged in several acts of lawlessness at the 37 Roundabout in Accra.

“The Ghana Police Service today, Sunday, 22nd September, 2024, arrested 42 people among the Democracy Hub demonstrators who were engaged in various acts of lawlessness at the 37 Intersection in Accra.

“The demonstrators who had unlawfully assembled at the 37 Intersection were seen attacking Police officers performing their lawful duties, entering a police vehicle to remove the ignition key and throwing it away, pushing down Police crash barriers, obstructing traffic, causing unlawful damage, and disturbing the peace among others,” the police stated.

Sunday, September 22, 2024, marked Day 2 of the three-day protest against the government's failure to eradicate and combat illegal mining activities, which have polluted several water bodies in various parts of the country.

Protesters clad in red and black gathered in large numbers. Led by Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a convener of the Democracy Hub, the police began arresting defiant protesters who ignored directives not to use certain routes during the demonstration.

Prior to the demonstration, the police announced a special operation, blocking major roads leading to the seat of government, the Jubilee House, which the protesters indicated they wanted to ‘occupy’.

Watch the video below:



MAG/MA