Arise Ghana Demo: One suspect arrested for carrying a gun

One suspect was arrested on Day 2 of the ongoing Arise Ghana demonstration for possessing a firearm.

The man, whose name was given as Yusif, surrendered himself after he was caught with the weapon at the El Walk Sports Stadium on Wednesday, 29 June 2022.

Yusif, who is believed to be an ex-national security officer, has been sent to the police headquarters for further interrogations.

Following the incident, leaders of the demonstration have asked anyone who has any weapon to surrender it. They say they will not shield anyone caught with a weapon.

The Arise Ghana demonstrators have massed up at the El Wak Stadium to continue with their scheduled protest against economic hardship. They are expected to deliver a petition to the Ministry of Finance.

Meanwhile, day one of the protest was marred by chaotic scenes resulting in the arrest of some 29 persons concerning the bloody violence that erupted the previous day.

A statement from the police said they “were arrested for their participation in violent attacks on the police and some members of the public, including school children”.

The police said available video footage of the event is being reviewed, and all other persons identified for taking part in the attacks and inciting the violence will be arrested and brought to face justice.

Meanwhile, 12 officers have also suffered various injuries as Arise Ghana demonstrators attacked police by hurling stones and other objects at them.

The protesters also vandalised property, including police buses and burnt car tyres in the middle of the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange.

The protesters embarked on the actions over general hardships in the country.

Motivation for the demonstration?

I) Protest against persistent and astronomical hikes in fuel prices by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government that has imposed excruciating economic hardships on Ghanaians.

II) Protest against the imposition of the obnoxious E-Levy on the already-burdened Ghanaian people by the insensitive Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government.

III) Demand a full-scale and bi-partisan parliamentary probe into COVID-19 expenditures.

IV) Protest against the grabbing of State lands by officials of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government, particularly the de-classification of huge portions of the Achimota Forest Reserve.

V) Protest against the increased rate of police brutalities and state-sponsored killing of innocent Ghanaians, as well as the growing culture of human rights abuses under the watch of President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.