Bridget Otoo Joins #OccupyJulorbiHouse Protest, Outlines What She Wants To Be Fixed In Ghana

Bridget Otoo, a journalist and activist, has outlined what she wants to be fixed in Ghana as she joined the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest on Tuesday, September 21, 2023. The protest was organized by Democracy Hub, a coalition of activists and citizens, to demand accountability and transparency from the government over the alleged purchase of a $2.8 million mansion by the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta.

In an interview with JoyNews, Otoo said she was protesting because she was unhappy with the state of affairs in the country and wanted to see positive changes. She listed some of the issues that she wanted to be fixed, such as:

• The high cost of living and the low standard of living for many Ghanaians.
• The lack of access to quality education, health care, and social services for the majority of the population.
• The rampant corruption and mismanagement of public funds by the government and its officials.
• The poor infrastructure and sanitation in many parts of the country.
• The violation of human rights and freedoms by the security agencies and the judiciary.
• The lack of accountability and transparency in the governance system and the electoral process.

Otoo said she was not afraid of being arrested or harassed by the police for exercising her constitutional right to protest peacefully. She said she was ready to face any consequences for speaking out against injustice and oppression. She also urged other Ghanaians to join the protest and demand better governance from their leaders.

Otoo was among several protestors who were arrested by the police for defying a court injunction that sought to stop the protest. The police claimed that the protest was unlawful and posed a threat to public order and security. The protestors were taken to the Greater Accra Regional Police Headquarters, where they were detained and allegedly assaulted by the police.

Otoo's husband, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A Plus, was also at the scene of the protest and expressed his anger over his wife's arrest. He said he was proud of his wife for standing up for what she believed in and accused the government of being intolerant and oppressive.

The #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest was planned to march from the 37 Lorry Station to Julorbi House, where the Minister of Finance allegedly bought a $2.8 million mansion using public funds. The protestors accused the minister of corruption and conflict of interest and demanded his resignation or prosecution. They also called for an independent investigation into the matter by the Auditor-General and the Special Prosecutor.

The protest is one of several demonstrations that have taken place in Ghana in recent times to express dissatisfaction with the government's performance and policies. Some of these protests include #FixTheCountry, #DropThatChamber, #RedFriday, and #FreeAkuapemPoloo. These protests have highlighted various issues such as unemployment, poverty, inequality, frustration, and social injustice.

As Ghana prepares for its general elections in December 2024, it is expected that more protests will emerge to demand accountability and good governance from the political leaders. It is also hoped that the government and the security agencies will respect the constitutional right of citizens to express their views peacefully and without fear of intimidation or harassment.

#OccupyJulorbiHouse: Bridget Otoo outlines what she wants to be fixed in Ghana. #JoyNews pic.twitter.com/4LbW9CQBZl

— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) September 21, 2023