The Ghana Police Service (GPS) has clarified that Grace Asantewaa, one of the protesters detained during the recent #ReoccupyJulorbiHouse and #StopGalamseyNow demonstrations, is 50 years old, not 68 as earlier reported. The protests were organized by Democracy Hub to voice concerns over illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) and economic mismanagement.
The Police Service acknowledged that two protesters were detained for over 48 hours, exceeding the legal limit before being presented to court. In a statement released on Thursday, September 26, the police admitted the oversight and described it as “unfortunate,” stating that the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) has been directed to investigate and recommend necessary disciplinary actions.
“As part of our efforts to be transparent and maintain high ethical and professional standards, the Police Administration has directed the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB, formerly PIPS) to investigate the circumstances under which two of the suspects were kept in Police custody beyond 48 hours without being sent to court, for the necessary disciplinary action to be taken against those responsible,” the statement read.
The police also refuted reports regarding the presence of a 12-year-old girl, a 68-year-old woman, and a pregnant woman among the arrested protesters, urging the public to disregard these claims.
In the case involving Grace Asantewaa, the police explained that she had a child with her during her arrest. To prevent separating the child from her guardian, the child was allowed to accompany Grace to the police station, where she was provided with food. Subsequently, Grace was granted police inquiry bail and allowed to go home with the child.
“Grace Asantewaa, a 50-year-old woman, was being reported incorrectly as a 68-year-old. In order not to separate the child from the woman, the child was allowed to accompany her to the Police Station. At the Police Station, Police provided the child with food, and for the sake of the child, her guardian, Grace Asantewaa, was granted a Police enquiry bail and allowed to go home with the child,” the statement clarified.
The police further stated that Grace Asantewaa has been charged with the offence of exposing a child to danger by bringing her to the protest, in violation of section 71 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
In related developments, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the convener of the #FixTheCountry protest, along with 12 other protesters, was remanded into police custody by the Accra Circuit Court on Thursday, September 26. These arrests, which stemmed from the protests held at the 37 Roundabout, have brought the total number of remanded protesters to 51.
