Arbitrary Arrest Or Detention, Unlawful Killings Stain Ghana Police In US Human Rights Report

The 2022 Human Rights report by the United States Department of State has shown some of Ghana’s security agencies engaged in some conduct that went against respect for the Integrity of a Person.

The report which was published this month cited cases of arbitrary arrest or detention, unlawful killings, torture and others by personnel of the Ghana Police Service.

The annual Human Rights Report cover internationally recognized individual, civil, political, and worker rights, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international agreements and is submitted to the U.S. Congress.

It covers individual reports on 198 countries and territories receiving assistance and all United Nations member states.

Arrests
The reports referenced a shooting incident by some police in February last year as well as the death of Albert Donkor, a resident of Nkoranza who died in police custody in April.

“In February some police chased a man suspected of a traffic violation into a traditional chief’s palace in Yendi (Northern Region) and opened fire, killing another man and injuring eight others with stray bullets. In the immediate aftermath, police announced the suspension with reduced payment of the six officers involved, but as of November police had not released the results of an internal investigation.

“On April 24, police in Nkoranza (Bono East Region) arrested Albert Donkor and brought him to the local police station, alleging he was involved in a series of armed robberies. Donkor died while in police custody hours later. In a departure from typical practice, police did not announce an operation or arrest had taken place until more than three weeks later. Protests erupted on May 18 in response to news of the death, with youths blocking roads and destroying property, including the police station. Police fired live ammunition into the crowd, killing a protester. As of November police had not concluded an internal investigation into both deaths.”

When it comes to arrest, the report said Officials detained some prisoners for indefinite periods by renewing warrants or simply allowing warrants to lapse while an investigation took place which is contrary to the law of Ghana.

It also touched on the arrest of arrest 30 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex (LGBTQI+) community members in Accra on “spurious” unlawful assembly charges” on On June 26.

It further talked of the arrested of Oliver Barker Vormawor, an activist critical of the government, in response to a series of Facebook posts on February 11. “After initially charging him with misdemeanour charges of making false statements, police upgraded the charges to felony treason and held him in prison for 35 days before a judge released him on bail.

Harassment
The harassment and abuse of media and persons of Civil Society Organisations featured in the report too.

“In February in Takoradi, five or more police in plain clothes attacked a producer with the privately-owned broadcaster Connect FM after he photographed the officers while they sat in a restaurant with their guns displayed and holding men in handcuffs.

“In the same month, police arrested the executive director of the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability and a prominent morning show host for accusing the first lady of misappropriating public funds. Authorities charged the two with the publication of false news; the cases remained pending. In isolated incidents apparently condoned by authorities, some supporters of the ruling political party harassed and attacked journalists”

Protests
The US Department of State, cited the police’s response to some protests that took place in Ghana in 2022.

“In June police used tear gas to forcibly disperse a spontaneous student protest at an Islamic senior high school in Accra, with 30 students hospitalized for minor respiratory injuries.”

“On June 29, police used tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets to disperse the first day of the Arise Ghana protests after demonstrators veered from the court approved route.”

Read The Full Statement Here:U.S. Department of State has released its 2022 annual Country Report on Ghana’s Human Rights Practices