Youths in Ghana protest against Cost of Living Crisis
Ghanaian police Monday said they had arrested 42 protestors in the capital, Accra, after clashes erupted during demonstrations against economic hardship and the government’s handling of illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey.”
The protests, organized by the group Democracy Hub, began on Friday and were set to continue until Monday.
The demonstrators, mostly young people, marched through the city chanting patriotic songs and carrying placards expressing frustration over environmental destruction caused by illegal mining and perceived economic mismanagement by the government.
Speaking with French media outlet Agence France-Presse, Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Ghana’s police spokesperson, said the people who were arrested “assembled unlawfully and attacked police officers who were performing their lawful duties,” adding, “they will be arraigned in court for their actions, which include obstructing traffic, damaging property and causing disturbances.”
In response, Democracy Hub condemned the use of force by the police, calling it an unjustified attack on peaceful demonstrators.