Executive Director of Peace Watch Ghana, Madam Nyonkopa Daniels, has asked Ghanaians to stop attacking the Ghana Police Service unfairly over the arrest of some protestors who participated in the Democracy Hub demonstration.
The peace advocate believes the individuals who were arrested and remanded exceeded their rights as protestors by engaging in lawlessness.
She said it was the right of every citizen to protest, something guaranteed in the constitution of the republic.
However, citizens who do so must be responsible, civil, and avoid acts of lawlessness.
Speaking in an interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.FM, she indicated that one of the disappointing scenarios at the demonstration was when one of the leaders of the group, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, removed an ignition key of the Police vehicle and threw it away.
“We are all Ghanaians, and if these people were actually in a demonstration against illegal mining, aka galamsey, and something illegal happened and they were arrested, I don’t believe they (Police) erred. The Police would not have arrested these people without a valid reason. We are all Ghanaians and should be honest with one other.
We should also remember that there are consequences for every action we take, and we have children who look up to us. If you’re part of a group and planning a demonstration, you don’t have to go overboard. As CEO of Peace Watch Ghana, I will not condemn the demonstration. It is a component of our democracy. However, you cannot also indulge in lawlessness. I was disappointed in Oliver for failing to demonstrate leadership. As a leader, he should have taken responsibility. There were excesses at the demonstration. Some of the demonstrators were unruly. It was admirable how they provoked the police while remaining silent. They deserve to be commended.
Oliver acted irresponsibly. It was irresponsible of him to remove a key from a police vehicle, especially given his profession as a lawyer. We have to be responsible people because children look up to us, so we can’t act recklessly,” he told host Kwabena Agyapong.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
