Allowing children to join demonstrations breaches Section 71 of the Criminal Offences Act – Police

The Ghana Police Service has cautioned Ghanaians to be mindful of using children for demonstrations.

The service said using children for demonstrations will expose them to danger and is also contrary to Section 71 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

The police said this in a statement it issued denying the arrest of a minor and a 60-year-old woman.

The police denied reports of using force against anyone during the Democracy Hub demonstration despite provocations.

It indicated that their attention was drawn to reports suggesting that a 12-year-old child, a 68-year-old woman, and a pregnant woman were among those arrested and detained.

“We would like to categorically state that all these are false. We, therefore, urge the public to disregard these reports and treat them with the contempt they deserve. In the case of the 12-year-old child and the 68-year-old woman, in the course of the arrest, police realized that one of the suspects, Grace Asantewaa, a 50-year-old woman who is being reported as a 68-year-old, had a child with her. In order not to separate the child from the woman, the child was allowed to accompany her to the police station,” the police said.

The statement revealed that they provided the child with food, and for the sake of the child, her guardian, Grace Asantewaa, was granted a police inquiry bail and allowed to go home with the child.

“The Ghana Police Service has charged Grace Asantewaa with the offence of exposing a child to danger by bringing her to the demonstration grounds, contrary to Section 71 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

“We would like to use this opportunity to advise members of the public to be mindful of involving our beloved children in activities that have the potential to expose them to danger,” the statement said.