Like many Ghanaians, a lot of celebrities say they have been taken aback by the arrest of citizens who were embarking on the #OccupyJulorBiHouse demonstration on Thursday morning.

The Accra-based civil society group organising the protest, Democracy Hub, had earlier notified the Ghana Police Service of their planned demonstration on Nkrumah Memorial Day to call on “the President and members of the Economic Management Team to #FixTheCountry in light of the level of economic mismanagement and theft that has engulfed our government from the highest levels.”

But the police filed an injunction application on the eve of the demonstration and proceeded to arrest protestors who showed up to join in the protest. The courts are yet to hear the injunction application.

The celebrities are appalled by the actions of the police while others are calling them out for restricting the rights of Ghanaians to protest.

Read the reactions below:

The tone deafness of this government is really alarming.

With everything happening in our neighbouring countries you would think that at the very least you would prove that DEMOCRACY works!

I mean who’s allowing this??

— miss forson (@lydiaforson) September 21, 2023

And what's the reason for going to court to stop demonstrators? And why wait for less than 24 hours to the said demonstration to go to court when you have had the notice several days prior? Your job is to provide policing for demonstrators, not be trying to stop them. Is there a… https://t.co/bAy1fijan5

— Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo (@Fentuo_) September 21, 2023

God bless our homeland Ghana,
And make our nation great and strong,
Bold to defend for ever,
The cause of Freedom and of Right.
Fill our hearts with true humility
Make us cherish fearless honesty,
And help us to resist oppressor's rule
With all our will and might for evermore.

— DJ Black (@djblack) September 21, 2023

Shameless Ghana Police Service. I cannot count the number of times I’ve praised the IGP on social media and on TV/Radio.

To say I’m disappointed in him with what’s happened today is an understatement.

A big blot on everything he’s done thus far.

Unless he comes out to claim…

— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) September 21, 2023

Citizens have every right to not be spectators. The youth have every right to ask for better living conditions. The people have every right to fight for their country.

FREE THE PROTESTORS
FREE THE PROTESTORS
FREE THE PROTESTORS#OccupyJulorbiHouse

— YDL (@KOJO_Cue) September 21, 2023

We are Ghanaian before anything else. My topmost concern is the safety of our people. we should be able to freely exercise our right to protest.
We are making efforts to help the protesters who have been detained but we’re facing some challenges on the ground.
If there are any…

— Lord KiDi (@KiDiMusic) September 21, 2023

Frustrated by what dey happen in Accra today. Besides the fact say we dey taya now more than ever in a country with so much resources, democracy is clearly out the window too. Proud my people are taking steps to make a change and I support the fight 💯. We are stronger together.…

— SON OF JACOB (@KWESIARTHUR_) September 21, 2023

We put these people in power only for them to turn and make a mockery of us. Something as simple as a demonstration which is our human right, look at how they treat us. We truly voted for a Dictator!! #OccupyJulorbiHouse

— EFIAODO (@Efiaodo1) September 21, 2023

I apologize for my earlier post. It’s quite obvious I didn’t read the room. We’re in a democratic country and I strongly believe peaceful protests should be allowed. This is sad. pic.twitter.com/cKP0WqSGXM

— Kofi Kinaata (@KinaataGh) September 21, 2023

The arrest of the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protesters is uncalled for. Can’t citizens demonstrate in peace?

— Farmer John (@johndumelo) September 21, 2023

pic.twitter.com/cf0Ft2R1uJ

— M.anifest (@manifestive) September 21, 2023

Chop the money, we no get problem but do something about the economy,tax inflation, fix our roads, build more healthcare facilities, solve dumsor ! This is all we cry for, don’t arrest us when we harmlessly voice out our problems ! #OccupyJulorbiHouse

— AmgMedikalmdk (@Amgmedikalmdk) September 21, 2023

You can only be scared of a peaceful protest when you know you deserve otherwise…

— Sarkodie (@sarkodie) September 21, 2023

So today, is #WorldPeaceDay and protesters in Ghana could not have their peaceful demonstration in peace? Anyway, I hope there is no police brutality so far. #OccupyJulorbiHouse

— Ameyaw Debrah (@AmeyawDebrah) September 21, 2023