Some persons, who took part in the Hands Off Our Hotels’ Demonstration this morning , have been hospitalized after an altercation with the police, Member of Parliament for North Tongu has alleged.
According to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, organizer of the protest, the police fired teargas at the protesters who were marching to the agreed destination, leaving several injured.
He said they had agreed with the police to end the protest at Christ the King, close to the Jubilee, the seat of Government but the security personnel mounted barricades halfway the destination, stopping them from proceeding.
This action by the police did not sit well the protesters who attempted to advance further, resulting in an altercation.
The MP claimed the police fired teargas at the defenceless protesters, who have been hospitalized as a result.
He condemned the alleged action of the security personnel and vowed to hold them responsible if anything happens to the victims.
“Let me condemn what the police did. Our people have conducted themselves so well. Look at the thousands who poured out. There were no issues, no violence. Nobody came here with a weapon. Why do you fire teargas at innocent civilians, helpless and hapless?” he questioned.
“We have to rush a few to the hospital. If anything happens to our fellow citizens, the police hierarchy will pay for it. They will be held accountable”.
He further accused the police of exhibiting bad faith for stopping the protest halfway the agreed destination.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa led the protest today in Accra against the sale of 60 percent stake in four hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to Rock City Hotel owned by Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
Ablakwa contended that the sale of state-owned enterprises to government officials and politically exposed persons is a clear abuse of power and should be resisted.
He, therefore, led the protest to pile pressure government to halt the sale.
