CIVICUS discusses a ban on protests in Ghana with Eunice Agbenyadzi, Head of Programmes at STAR-Ghana Foundation, a Ghanaian civil society organisation (CSO) that promotes active citizenship and supports civil society to engage with government.

A Ghanaian High Court banned protests planned in the capital, Accra, between 31 July and 6 August, at the request of the police, who cited a lack of available officers due to election-related duties. Civil society groups had planned demonstrations against corruption and the high cost of living, and expected more than two million people to take part. Protests against rising prices and bad governance have taken place in several African countries recently, often facing harsh repression.

What triggered the recent call for protests, and why were they banned?

In late July and early August, CSOs and activists organised protests to demand greater transparency, responsiveness and democratic governance. The context was one of widespread frustration with government corruption and lack of accountability, exacerbated by high inflation and rising youth unemployment. Discontent is growing as the country approaches its next elections, scheduled for December.

In Ghana, protests are less frequent than in countries such as Kenya, where mass participation, particularly by young people, is more common. Mobilisation efforts face significant obstacles due to political polarisation and a disconnect between tech-savvy youth and the rest of the population. As a result, Ghanaians generally use more diplomatic approaches, such as press conferences or one-on-one meetings. But as these haven’t brought about significant change, people are increasingly taking to the streets when they feel their concerns are being ignored.

As the next election approaches, the government is increasingly trying to prevent protests. In a system where the separation of powers is weak, institutions that should be independent, such as the courts, are seen often to be acting under the influence of the executive.

On what grounds were protests banned and how did civil society react?

The rules governing protests are often misinterpreted by the authorities. While the law only requires organisers to notify the police before a protest, the police often insist on the need to obtain a permit. They claim this is necessary to provide adequate security. In practice, this often leads to the police refusing to authorise protests, and when protests go ahead without authorisation, the authorities label them as unlawful, even if they are peaceful, and arrest organisers and protesters.

Civil society has been forced to adapt. Some of us, for example, avoid calling our actions protests to avoid government backlash. Instead, we refer to these events as ‘citizen walks’ or something similar, even when they involve making demands or submitting petitions. But despite people’s efforts to avoid confrontation, the police continue to arrest them when they take to the streets, violating the right to protest.

Has the government taken any steps to address the underlying discontent?

The government’s response to socio-economic concerns has been significantly slower than in other countries, such as Kenya, where the government implemented measures such as the suspension of tax bills. The Ghanaian government has instead blamed the ongoing economic crisis on external factors such as long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, rather than acknowledging its financial mismanagement. This deflection has left many critical issues unresolved.

Calls for measures to curb excessive government spending, a reduction in ministerial appointments and greater accountability in the management of public resources have not been addressed. The government has refused to engage with protest movements.

In this context, people are likely to bypass formal procedures, such as notifying the police, and hold spontaneous protests instead. People are frustrated with a system that has consistently blocked avenues for formal dissent.

What are the overall conditions for civil society in Ghana?

Civic space, defined as respect for the fundamental civic freedoms of association, expression and peaceful assembly, remains relatively open. There are no significant restrictions on the formation of organisations, and CSOs are generally able to pursue their interests and interact with state institutions. However, these interactions often lead to symbolic civic engagement without tangible results.

For instance, the government’s delay in passing the Affirmative Action Act on gender equity, despite years of engagement and meetings, highlights the gap between civic participation and real change. Although there’s space for public interest litigation, as seen in recent cases challenging excessive executive power, there are areas where restrictions are more evident. Anti-LGBTQI+ legislation, for example, has significantly curtailed the ability of excluded groups to advocate for their rights, by silencing them and making them invisible.

Get in touch with STAR-Ghana through its website or Facebook page, and follow @STARGhana on Twitter.