The Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Joseph Whittal, has expressed his disappointment over the silence of three key ministers on the recent #OccupyJulorbiHouse protests. The protests, which lasted for three days, were organized by a group of citizens who demanded better living conditions, accountability, and an end to corruption in Ghana.
Whittal said it was unfortunate that the ministers of interior, defense, and national security had not commented on the protests, given the incidents that marred them and the gravity of the issues raised by the protesters. He said the ministers should have explained or apologized if their agencies had gone too far in dealing with the protesters.
The police arrested 49 protesters on the first day of the demonstration and dispersed them to different police stations. They also applied for an injunction to prevent the protesters from marching near the Jubilee House, the seat of the presidency. The protesters accused the police of brutality, intimidation, and violation of their rights.
Whittal said the police should have respected the right of the citizens to demonstrate peacefully and not approached them with a colonial mentality. He said citizens were given the power to protect themselves and that the police should have established a rapport with the protesters instead of using force.
He also said that the name of the protest, which means “the child of a thief,” was not meant to insult the president or his father but to symbolize how corrupt the presidency had become. He said the protesters were expressing their frustration with the country’s poor governance and economic hardship.
The #OccupyJulorbiHouse protests were part of a larger movement called #FixTheCountry, which started online in May 2021 and gained momentum after a series of demonstrations across Ghana. The movement has called for improved social services, reduced taxes, job creation, and respect for human rights.
The government has not officially responded to the protests, but some ruling party members have dismissed them as politically motivated or irrelevant. The president, Nana Akufo-Addo, has said that his administration is working hard to address Ghana’s challenges and urged citizens to be patient and supportive.
However, some analysts have said the protests reflect a growing dissatisfaction with the government’s performance and a desire for change, especially among young Ghanaians. They have also said the protests could inspire more civic engagement and accountability in Ghana’s democracy.
Whittal said that he hoped the protests would lead to a constructive dialogue between the government and the citizens on improving Ghana’s development. He said that CHRAJ was ready to facilitate such a dialogue and protect all Ghanaians’ rights.
Source: GhanaWeb
