The Ghana Police Service has denied social media reports alleging the arrest of a pregnant woman and an elderly lady with a child during the recent Democracy Hub anti-galamsey protest in Accra.

In a statement issued on Thursday, 26 September 2024, the Police described the claims as "completely false" and designed to mislead the public.

"We want to state unequivocally that no pregnant woman or elderly lady with a child was arrested during the demonstration. These rumours are false and are intended to cause unnecessary panic and stir distrust in the Police Service," the statement indicated.

The false reports, which gained traction online, suggested that a 12-year-old child, a 68-year-old woman, and a pregnant woman were among those detained during the protest.

However, the Police categorically refuted these allegations.

"We would like to categorically state that all these are false. We, therefore, urge the public to disregard these reports and treat them with the contempt they deserve," the Police emphasised.

Clarifying the situation involving a child at the demonstration, the Police revealed that one of the protesters, 50-year-old Grace Asantewaa, had a child with her.

“In the course of the arrest, Police realised that one of the suspects, Grace Asantewaa, had a child with her. In order not to separate the child from the woman, the child was allowed to accompany her to the Police Station.

“At the station, Police provided the child with food, and for the sake of the child, her guardian was granted a Police enquiry bail and allowed to go home with the child.”

The Police further stated that Grace Asantewaa has since been charged with exposing a child to danger by bringing her to the protest, an offence under Section 71 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

Acknowledging that several protesters were arrested for breaching the agreed terms of the demonstration, the Police maintained that none of the individuals arrested matched the descriptions in the false reports circulating online.

“These false reports are likely intended to tarnish the image of the Police and stir public anger,” the statement warned, noting that “false information such as this can cause unnecessary fear and disrupt public order.”

The Police also called on the public to be responsible in sharing information, especially on social media.

“We urge the public to be responsible in sharing information. We want to reiterate that all arrests made were within the confines of the law and in response to clear violations of the agreed terms of the protest.”