Update: Ghana protesters teargassed in standoff with police

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Armed policemen deployed tear gas into a crowd of protesters in Accra on Tuesday as thousands of Ghanaians take to the streets to protest about the rise in the cost of living.

The demonstration held in the capital Accra on Tuesday, was organized by the pressure group Arise Ghana.

A standoff between the police and protesters over the approved route for the protest, is said to have sparked this latest development. Some demonstrators and journalists had to take cover following a police reinforcement.

Police condemn protesters

Although it is unknown what may have caused the incident, Citi News reports that at least two people have been picked up by the police.

The Ghana Police Service however reports that some of its men were left injured. It has since condemned the act.

“Attack on Police in the Ongoing Arise Ghana Demonstration What a shame, we were there to protect you and ensure your safety, but you throw stones at us, injure and hurt us. This behaviour is unacceptable and must be condemned”, the police said in a tweet.

Attack on Police in the Ongoing Arise Ghana Demonstration

What a shame, we were there to protect you and ensure your safety, but you throw stones at us, injure and hurt us.

This behaviour is unacceptable and must be condemned. pic.twitter.com/8FGeycExJD

— Ghana Police Service (@GhPoliceService) June 28, 2022

Motivation

The protesters said the government is mismanaging the economy as inflation is running at 27.6%. The protesters had called for President Akufo-Addo to cancel taxes, especially the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-levy) which has worsened the plight of the poor.

The national currency, the cedi, has depreciated against the US dollar by more than 15% this year.

Heavy security

Security was reinforced as the protesters mainly clad in red, chanted, sang, danced and blew vuvuzelas amidst brass band music, for about four hours creating traffic jams in the city center.

One of the many hand-written placards they held read:” Mr. President where is our money? We are tired of you and your government”.

Other protestors pushed back against the government narrative that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was the bane of Ghana’s economic woes.

“They [government officials] are quick to blame our sufferings on the Ukraine war, but how on earth will you tell me that the cost of maize which is from last year’s yield is a result of the Ukraine-Russia war which started this year?”

Leaders of the demonstration say the event will continue the next day as they seek to challenge a decision of a High Court which ruled that such an exercise should not go beyond 4 pm.

SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH