By: Jude Tackie
In some disturbing scenes and events on Ghana’s Founder’s Day, protestors participating in the #OccupyJulorBiHouse demonstration initially expected to be outside the Jubilee House, Ghana’s seat of government were met with police arrests and disturbing acts of violence.
The demonstration aimed to address several pressing issues plaguing the nation, including the high cost of living, rampant abuse of power, state capture, throttling of press freedom and what many perceive as callous governance.
The #OccupyJulorBiHouse hashtag, which cleverly combines “Occupy” with “Jubilee House,” refers to the Executive branch of the government, and “Julor Bi” is a Ga phrase meaning “Child of a Thief.” This moniker reflects the sentiments of many Ghanaians who feel that the government has been negligent in managing the country.
Despite consistent efforts by the state police to block the demonstration, protestors gathered near the seat of government today, defying warnings issued by the police. On the previous day, the police had claimed to possess a court order to enjoin the demonstration, but they failed to produce any such document, casting doubts on the legality of their actions.
Eyewitnesses and participants have taken to social media to share distressing videos of protestors being manhandled by the police and transported to various police stations in buses. Reports suggest that over 50 protestors have been arrested so far.
Today’s events take on greater significance in the context of recent uprisings in the West African and Sahelian regions. In many cases, the tipping point for these uprisings was the government’s failure to address the grievances of its citizens. While Ghana may not be at that critical juncture, the nation appears to be inching closer to a breaking point due to systemic issues.
Ghana shares borders with nations experiencing political and social turmoil, making it imperative for the country to address these concerns and ensure peace and stability for future generations. The protestors are determined not to disrupt the peace of fellow citizens but to safeguard the peace and stability they enjoy, even as they demand accountability from their government.
The situation is evolving rapidly, and the international community is closely watching developments in Ghana as protestors push for change and justice on this important public holiday dedicated to the memory of the country’s founder, Kwame Nkrumah.