Accra witnessed tense scenes at the Kawukudi Intersection along the 37-Achimota Road on Friday, as a group of Muslim youth, reportedly part of the entourage of the National Chief Imam, clashed with police officers during the second day of the #FreeTheCitizen and #StopGalamseyNow protests.
The incident unfolded when the youth, many of whom were on motorcycles, encountered a police barricade that had been erected to manage the flow of demonstrators and ensure security during the protest.
The barricade, part of a larger police operation along the protest route, was intended to regulate access to key areas, including the main demonstration zones.
Eyewitnesses reported that the motorcycle riders, agitated by the presence of the barricade, demanded its immediate removal to allow them passage.
Despite their appeals, the police stood firm, refusing to take down the blockade.
This standoff quickly escalated, with tempers flaring on both sides.
In a show of defiance, the youth forcefully dismantled the barricade and surged forward on their motorcycles, breaching the police line.
The officers on the scene, visibly outnumbered and caught off guard, refrained from making arrests or intervening, allowing the riders to proceed.
The police's passive response drew sharp criticism from onlookers and other protestors.
Some members of the #FreeTheCitizen movement expressed frustration over what they described as the police's selective enforcement of the law.
According to these protestors, while other demonstrators had faced arrests and stern treatment from law enforcement throughout the protest, the youth associated with the Chief Imam's entourage appeared to be treated leniently, despite their aggressive actions in removing the barricade.
One protestor, speaking to reporters, said, "The way the police let them go without consequences is shocking. This is not the first time protestors have been met with force, but here, they just watched and did nothing."
The #FreeTheCitizen demonstrations, which have gathered momentum in recent days, call for immediate government action to end illegal mining (galamsey) and address pressing socio-economic issues.
Protestors have been urging authorities to implement a total ban on all forms of mining activities as part of efforts to protect the country’s natural resources.
The Ghana Police Service is yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, though sources indicate that they are conducting an internal review of the circumstances surrounding the standoff at Kawukudi.
As the protests continue, many are calling for greater clarity and fairness in how law enforcement handles future demonstrations, ensuring that all groups are treated equally under the law.
The coming days are expected to see heightened security and possibly stricter measures as both protestors and police brace for further encounters.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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