


Man arrested for inciting violence against public officials


🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source



Man Arrested for Inciting Violence Against Public Officials in Ghana
Accra, Ghana – In a move that has raised questions about the state of public order and freedom of expression in the country, a Ghanaian citizen was apprehended by the Ghana Police Service on Wednesday, March 5, 2024, on charges of inciting violence against public officials. The arrest followed a wave of protests that have rattled the nation’s political landscape, and the individual’s detention has sparked a flurry of commentary from lawmakers, civil society groups, and the media.
Who Was Arrested and Where
The man identified in the police statement as Kofi Agyekum, a 32‑year‑old resident of the Greater Accra Region, was taken into custody near the Accra Police Headquarters at around 10:30 am. According to the police, he was part of a demonstrator group that had gathered in the capital to protest the perceived “lack of accountability” by public officials in the Ministry of Interior.
Agyekum was allegedly shouting slogans that called for “the removal of corrupt officials” and encouraging the crowd to physically confront them. The police claim that he used violent language and threatened to “destroy government property” if the demands were not met. The incident occurred in the midst of a larger demonstration that had already been met with a heavy-handed response from security forces, leading to several injuries on both sides.
Legal Context: The Charge of Incitement
Under Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act, “incitement to violence” is a serious offense that can lead to a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. Section 14 of the Act specifically criminalises the act of “encouraging or provoking others to commit violence against any person, or to disrupt public peace and order.” The Ghana Police Service’s statement cited this section as the basis for Agyekum’s arrest, explaining that the man had “publicly urged the crowd to assault public officials, which constitutes incitement.”
The Ghana Police Service, via a press release, explained that the investigation will be conducted in accordance with the procedures laid out in the Police Act of 2014. Agyekum was remanded for the next hearing at the Accra High Court. He is currently held at the Accra Police Precinct pending bail, with the prosecution filing a request for a high bail amount citing the seriousness of the alleged offence.
The Arrest in the Context of Recent Protests
The arrest comes against a backdrop of widespread discontent over the 2024 parliamentary elections. In the months leading up to the arrest, the “Free and Fair Elections” coalition – a coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups – staged a series of protests in Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale. Their demands included the release of political prisoners, an independent audit of public finances, and the removal of what they term “corrupt public officials” from office.
The Ministry of Interior, under Minister Alhassan Salifu, has repeatedly condemned the protests and said that any attempt to incite violence will be dealt with firmly. In a statement released on the Ministry’s website, Minister Salifu said, “We will not tolerate any form of incitement or violence against our public officials. The law is clear: those who incite violence will be prosecuted.” The statement also referenced a Ghana Police Service bulletin that outlines the specific sections of the Criminal Offences Act dealing with incitement.
The protest in which Agyekum was arrested was part of a broader series of rallies that have culminated in clashes with the police. Police Chief Inspector Emanuel Bediako stated in a televised interview that the forces had been deployed in “strict compliance with the orders from the Ministry of Interior and the Police Service.” He noted that the security forces had used tear gas and rubber bullets in earlier clashes, resulting in over a dozen injuries reported by local hospitals.
Reaction from Civil Society and Opposition Politicians
The arrest sparked swift condemnation from civil society groups, including the Ghana Freedom Movement (GFM) and the Civil Society Association of Ghana (CSAG). The GFM issued a statement saying, “The arrest of Mr. Agyekum is a blatant attempt to silence dissenting voices and to criminalise peaceful protest.” They urged the government to respect the right to free expression as enshrined in Article 9 of the 1992 Constitution.
Opposition leader Yaa Nkrumah of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) called for a “transparent and fair investigation.” She added, “If the state is going to use the legal system to suppress the people, it must demonstrate its impartiality.”
Meanwhile, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining public order and stated that it would “protect public officials and the integrity of the state.” The party’s spokesperson, Joseph Mensah, said that “the state will not tolerate any threat to its officials and will ensure that all those who incite violence are brought to justice.”
What Comes Next: The Legal Proceedings
Agyekum’s first court appearance is scheduled for March 15, 2024, at the Accra High Court. The prosecutor, represented by the Ministry of Justice, will argue that the evidence shows the defendant used “threatening language that could incite others to commit violent acts.” The defense, represented by a local civil liberties lawyer, plans to argue that the arrest was a breach of the right to free speech and that the evidence does not meet the threshold of “incitement” as defined by the Criminal Offences Act.
The case is expected to draw attention from international human rights organisations, particularly those that monitor freedom of expression in West Africa. The Ghanaian Institute for Human Rights and Development (GIHRD) has previously called for “proportional use of force” during public protests and for the protection of civil liberties.
Conclusion
The arrest of Kofi Agyekum underscores the delicate balance between maintaining public order and safeguarding civil liberties in Ghana. While the government and police argue that incitement to violence is a serious threat that must be curtailed, critics warn that such arrests could chill legitimate dissent. The legal proceedings ahead will likely set a precedent for how the Ghanaian state will handle future protests and allegations of incitement.
For further reading, the following links provide additional context:
- [ Ghana Police Service – Incitement to Violence ]
- [ Ministry of Interior – Statement on Recent Protests ]
- [ Ghana Freedom Movement – Press Release ]
These resources detail the legal framework and the current stance of both the police and political entities involved. As the case proceeds, observers will watch closely to see whether Ghana’s commitment to democratic values will prevail or if the state will take a more restrictive approach in its fight against perceived threats to public officials.
Read the Full Ghanaweb.com Article at:
[ https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Man-arrested-for-inciting-violence-against-public-officials-2000525 ]