A young basketball player in Ghana has joined the protest movement against the president after he was wrongly arrested by the police on his way to a training session. Kelvin Boakye, who is 16 years old, was wearing a red T-shirt when he was apprehended by the police on September 21, along with other protesters who were demanding the resignation of President Nana Akufo-Addo.
The protesters, who call themselves #OccupyJulorbiHouse, accuse the president of corruption, mismanagement, and human rights violations. They have been staging peaceful demonstrations in front of the president’s residence, known as Julorbi House, since September 20. However, the police have been using force and intimidation to disperse them, arresting dozens of protesters and injuring several others.
Boakye’s mother, who did not want to reveal her name, told GhanaWeb that she received a distress call from her son informing her of his arrest. She said she was shocked and worried because her son was not involved in the protest and was only going to play basketball. She said she contacted a lawyer and a journalist to help her secure his release.
The journalist, Bridget Otoo, who is also a vocal critic of the government, shared a photo and a video of Boakye on Twitter, showing him in front of a police barricade at the 37 Military Hospital on the second day of the protest³[3]. She wrote: “Ladies and gentlemen I have met Kelvin Boakye. @6xkelv His mum inspired me to speak up. They picked him up on his way to play basket ball. His arrest yesterday fueled his decision to join the #OccupyJulorbiHouse today!
Boakye, who is a talented basketball player and hopes to play in the NBA someday, said he decided to join the protest because he was angry and frustrated by the police brutality and the injustice in the country. He said he wanted to stand up for his rights and the rights of his fellow citizens. He said he was not afraid of the police and would continue to protest until the president steps down.
The #OccupyJulorbiHouse movement has gained support from various civil society groups, opposition parties, and celebrities, who have expressed solidarity with the protesters and condemned the police violence. The movement has also attracted international attention, with some human rights organizations and foreign media outlets calling for the respect of the freedom of expression and assembly in Ghana.
The government, however, has dismissed the protest as a politically motivated attempt to destabilize the country and tarnish the image of the president. The government has also accused the protesters of violating the COVID-19 protocols and endangering public health. The government has warned that it will not tolerate any unlawful acts and will deal with the protesters according to the law.
Despite the government’s threats and the police’s crackdown, the protesters have vowed to continue their peaceful demonstrations until their demands are met. They have also called on more Ghanaians to join them in their quest for accountability and good governance. They have said that they are hopeful that their collective action will bring positive change to the country.
Source: GhanaWeb
