Gabby Asare Otchere Darko says he is worried about Ghana's worsening human rights record under President John Mahama following police brutalities inflicted on protesters of the Let My Vote Count Alliance.
He says the democracy inherited by President Mahama was one of peaceful and civilized state of affairs in which citizens were free from unprovoked and barbaric attacks by security forces.
The opposition New Patriotic Party man was among thousands of protesters who were roughed up and beaten after police claimed they deviated from an agreed route for their demonstration.
The LMVCA, police say, were heading towards the Electoral Commission – an unapproved route.
Recounting his own experience, Gabby said he was just walking away slowly and peacefully when a police officer attacked him with horsewhips.
It took the verbal intervention of another policewoman for the assault to end. “It’s okay it’s okay this beating should be enough for him,” he reported another policeman as saying.
He rejected the claim that the protesters initiated the clash by throwing objects at the police.
“It was pure police brutalities.....not a single punch was thrown in anger,” he insisted.
Gabby says he is at a loss at the brand of democracy being practised in Ghana.
“Is this democracy?….. This can’t be democracy!” he regretted.
He said within barely ten minutes of a misunderstanding over the route, the police broke out into the crowd, firing tear gas and using water cannons to disperse the crowd.
He contrasts Tuesday’s incident with a demonstration by the NDC in 2008 where party supporters marched to the Electoral Commission. No life was harmed, he said.
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