Alleged arrest of pregnant woman during recent demo; police refute claims

The Police Service has dismissed rumors claiming that a pregnant woman and an elderly woman with a child were arrested during the Democracy Hub's anti-galamsey protest in Accra over the weekend.

In a statement released on Thursday, September 26, the Police addressed these widely shared reports on social media, stating that the allegations are “completely false” and aimed at misleading the public.

“We want to make it clear that no pregnant woman or elderly woman with a child was arrested during the protest. These claims are untrue and are intended to cause unnecessary alarm and distrust in the Police Service,” the statement read.

The Police explained that after the protest, there were reports suggesting that a 12-year-old child, a 68-year-old woman, and a pregnant woman were among those detained. However, the Police firmly refuted this, urging the public to disregard such misinformation.

The statement further clarified, “During the arrests, it was noted that one of the individuals, Grace Asantewaa, a 50-year-old woman mistakenly reported as being 68, had a child with her. 

To avoid separating the child from the woman, the child accompanied her to the police station. The child was provided with food, and for the child’s welfare, Ms. Asantewaa was granted bail and allowed to go home with the child.”

The Police also mentioned that Grace Asantewaa has been charged with endangering a child by bringing her to the protest, in violation of Section 71 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

The Police emphasized that while several individuals were arrested for violating the terms of the demonstration, none of the arrests involved the individuals described in the circulating rumors. They suggested that the false reports were an attempt to damage the reputation of the police and incite public anger.

The statement urged the public to exercise caution when sharing information online, as false reports can cause fear and disrupt public peace. The Police reaffirmed that all arrests were lawful and carried out in response to clear breaches of the protest agreement.

The Police Service reiterated its commitment to upholding citizens' rights while ensuring that demonstrations are peaceful and lawful. “Throughout the event, our officers acted professionally, and no unlawful arrests were made. We remain dedicated to protecting the rights of demonstrators while maintaining public order,” the statement added.