In recent months, Ghanaians have suffered the consequences of record inflation and the fallout from the war in Ukraine, as the government cut spending to avoid a full-scale debt crisis.
On Tuesday, hundreds of people joined an authorized two-day protest led by local pressure group ‘Arise Ghana’ to denounce economic hardship, according to footage carried by social media and the Ghana News Agency.
Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and hot water when the crowd veered off the proposed route, Sammy Gyamfi, senior member of Arise Ghana, told Reuters by phone, adding that the crowd itinerary was different from the one previously agreed.
Police said they were forced to use tear gas and water cannons to restore order after protesters threw rocks and burned tires on the road.
Twelve officers were injured and some police vehicles damaged, they said in a statement, adding that the protesters had not followed “court-approved routes”.
The demonstration had dispersed in the evening and the streets of the city center were lined with police, said a Reuters journalist.
Ghana’s economic growth slowed to 3.3% year-on-year in the first quarter and inflation hit a new high of 27.6% in May, despite drastic spending cuts and other measures to redress the situation. financial situation.
The West African producer of gold, oil and cocoa is also struggling with high debt and a depreciating local currency.
A controversial tax on electronic payments approved in April and touted as a solution to Ghana’s financial woes has drawn the ire of the opposition, with critics saying it will unfairly affect low-income people and small businesses. [L5N2VW4N9]
The government has always ruled out asking for help from the International Monetary Fund, despite analysts warning it was close to a debt crisis.