There was near chaos after security operatives in Ghana disrupted a #BlackLivesMatter vigil, an anti-racism event to honour George Floyd, the black man who was killed by police in the United States.
The ‘peaceful’ vigil was held Saturday night near the Black Star Square in the nation’s capital, Accra when armed policemen stormed the venue to halt it.
Security officials say the protesters did not seek permission to hold the event amid growing concerns of the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
But the protesters, in a letter widely shared on its social media handles, indicated that they had notified the police ahead of the event.
Leader of the group, knonw as the Economic Fighters League, Ernesto Yeboah, was later arrested and detained by the police.
Amid chants, the protesters demanded the immediate release of Mr Yeboah. His lawyers were at the police station at the time of filing this report.
Anger on social media
On social media some Ghanaians have condemned the action by the police for stopping the protesters to hold a campaign to end racism.
The country’s Tourism Ministry had earlier in the week organized a similar event in honour of the slain Black American.
By Jonathan Ofori, Daily Mail GH
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