According to a public notice by the law enforcement agency, the lawyer and popular social activist "engaged in some acts of lawlessness at the 37 Intersection" where the protest was ongoing.
The notice added that the Democracy Hub demonstrators engaged in acts of lawlessness, including blocking the road, pushing down police crash barriers, and obstructing traffic, which led to their arrest.
The police have vowed to arrest all the perpetrators involved in the "lawlessness" and bring them to face justice.
Meanwhile, Barker-Vormawor has confirmed unlawfully removing the key from a police vehicle, as captured in footage. "Yes, I took the key of the police tow truck to demobilise it!
I own my resistance to the unlawful seizure of the vehicle carrying our water," Barker-Vormawor stated in a Facebook post after fleeing from arrest to seek refuge in the Joy FM studios.
In a subsequent post, he disclosed that although the police had cleared the protesters from the streets and arrested some, they intend to regroup later to resume the protest. "We are regrouping at 4pm at 37 Trotro Station towards Elwak," he wrote, urging his followers to "Show up!" On Sunday, 22nd September, violent clashes broke out between demonstrators from the Democracy Hub and officers of the Ghana Police Service at the 37 Intersection in Accra, leading to the arrest of scores of protesters, including some of the event's conveners.
Footage from the scene shows protesters engaging in physical altercations with law enforcement officers, pushing down police barricades, and attacking personnel who were attempting to prevent the demonstrators from gathering at the busy intersection.
On Saturday, 21st September, which was the first day of the three-day protest, demonstrators blocked the intersection in all directions using vehicles and stones, set fires, harassed other road users, and banged on vehicles.
Some protesters even took to playing football in the middle of the road, adding to the disruption.
The Ghana Police Service had earlier issued a stern warning to the organisers, describing the demonstrators' actions as "unGhanaian, uncivil, and unlawful." The police statement highlighted the severe inconvenience caused to the public, including commuters being stuck in traffic for hours, people in need of medical care facing delays in reaching hospitals, and families struggling to deliver supplies to loved ones at medical facilities.
Additionally, there were significant disruptions to cultural and social events, such as funerals, as well as commercial activities, with people missing flights and being unable to access their businesses.
In their assessment, the police concluded that the demonstrators had no intention of staging a peaceful protest, and warned that they would not allow any gatherings at the 37 Intersection.
Instead, they proposed seven alternative locations for the protest, pledging to provide security if the demonstrators complied.
However, the police warned that if protesters insisted on blocking the 37 Intersection, officers would use all lawful means to ensure the free movement of traffic and prevent undue inconvenience to the public.
Despite these warnings, demonstrators converged at the 37 Intersection, leading to a violent confrontation.
According to the police, protesters attempted to use unapproved routes, sparking the clash with law enforcement.
Oliver Barker-Vormawor was seen in video footage pushing down police barricades and removing the key from a police vehicle, which he later threw away.
Although police attempted to arrest him, Barker-Vormawor fled the scene and sought refuge at the studios of Accra-based Joy FM.
The situation remains tense, with both sides trading accusations over the escalation of events.
The police managed to clear the protesters off the streets and arrested several individuals.
The Ghana Police Service has reiterated its commitment to maintaining law and order, while the demonstrators continue to advocate for their cause despite the increasing confrontations.