The Ghana Police Service has been ordered by the High Court to pay GH¢150,000 in damages and issue a formal apology to journalist Bridget Otoo and two other individuals after finding that their fundamental human rights were violated during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest protest.
The ruling marks a significant development in the aftermath of the September 2023 demonstration, which drew national attention after several protesters and activists alleged unlawful arrests, intimidation, and violations of their constitutional rights by security personnel. The #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest, organized by a youth-led pressure group, sought to draw attention to Ghana’s worsening economic conditions, rising cost of living, and growing public frustration over governance issues.
According to court findings, the treatment of Bridget Otoo and the two other applicants during the protest amounted to an infringement of their fundamental freedoms, including their rights to peaceful assembly and personal liberty, both protected under Ghana’s Constitution.
The court’s decision has been welcomed by civil society groups and human rights advocates, who view the judgment as a landmark affirmation of citizens’ right to protest without fear of unlawful interference or intimidation.
The Ghana Police Service is expected to comply with the court’s directive by issuing a formal public apology alongside the payment of damages, a move many say reinforces accountability within law enforcement institutions.
The ruling is likely to reignite national conversations around policing standards, citizens’ rights, and the protection of democratic freedoms in Ghana.
