Protests over economic woes enter second day in Ghana

Frustration has grown in latest months as Ghanaians bear the brunt of rampant inflation amid authorities efforts to redress the economic system.

Protesters march on the streets of Accra throughout a #fixthecountry protest in Accra, Ghana, on August 4, 2021 [File: Nipah Dennis/AFP]

Demonstrators in Ghana’s capital have gathered for a second day of protests towards spiralling inflation and different financial woes after the primary day resulted in clashes with police and 29 arrests.

Wednesday’s protests kicked off at about midday GMT amid a heavy police presence.

Lots of had taken to the streets on Tuesday to denounce worth hikes, a tax on digital funds and different levies amid an financial downturn.

Police dispersed the authorised march with tear gasoline and water cannon after demonstrators turned violent and wounded a dozen officers, in response to a press release.

They arrested 29 demonstrators for “assaults and injury to public property” and have been reviewing footage of the occasion to establish extra members.

A senior member of the native “Come up Ghana” foyer group that organised the protest, Sammy Gyamfi, advised Reuters that police had agreed to supply safety for demonstrations on the second day.

The police didn't instantly reply to a request for remark.

Ghana, certainly one of West Africa’s largest economies and the continent’s second-biggest gold producer, noticed progress sluggish to three.3 % 12 months on 12 months within the first quarter of 2022 and inflation hit a document of 27.6 % in Could.

Frustration has grown in latest months as Ghanaians bear the brunt of rampant inflation amid authorities efforts to redress the economic system, reappreciate the native forex and keep away from a debt disaster.

The tax on digital funds accepted in April and introduced as an answer to Ghana’s monetary woes was significantly ill-received, with critics saying it unfairly impacts low-income individuals and small enterprise house owners.

Final August, residents additionally took to the streets in a protest demanding accountability and good governance. The protests went viral on social media underneath the #fixthecountry hashtag, which is getting used once more for this week’s demonstrations.