Ghana: 29 people arrested during a demonstration against expensive life

For several months, many Ghanaians protest against the rise in food prices and fuels, putting President Nana Akufo-Addo under pressure.

Le Monde with AFP

Ghanaian police arrested 29 people, Tuesday, June 28, after having dispersed a demonstration against the expensive life enamelled with ACCRA with a new assessment. Since morning, hundreds of demonstrators have been parading in the streets of the capital, brandishing signs with inscriptions: “Mr. President, where did we have been wrong?” And “the high cost of life will kill us”.

In the middle of the afternoon, a hundred demonstrators tried to divert the official route of the demonstration, AFP journalists have noted. They were stopped by a dam of dozens of police officers, on which they launched projectiles. The police replied by using tear gas to disperse the crowd.

“What a shame, we were there to protect you and ensure your safety, but you are launching stones,” the police wrote on Twitter, adding that twelve police officers were injured. She subsequently confirmed the arrest of 29 demonstrators and indicated that “the organizers of the demonstration were going to be arrested and presented before a court of justice for attacks and degradation of public goods”.

For several months, many Ghanaians have been demonstrating against the growing rise in food prices and fuels, putting President Nana Akufo-Addo under pressure. Under the effect of the Pandemic of COVID-19 and the Russian invasion in Ukraine, inflation has reached more than 27 % this month, that is to say its highest level for almost two decades in Ghana.

“We are suffering,” said Baba Musah, a mobile phone repairer who joined the demonstration: “We cannot pay three meals a day. Transport prices and the food is too high. “Many opposition figures were present during this demonstration organized by the pressure group Arise Ghana.

/Media reports.