Ghana Police in a frantic effort to block protesters
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), George Akuffo Dampare (PhD), has initiated legal action to limit a planned seven-day demonstration organized by a coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). Chief Superintendent Isaac Nicholas Kwabena Yeboah, acting on behalf of the IGP, has filed a motion to restrict the protest from July 31st to August 6th, 2024, at Blackstar Square (Independence Square), reducing it to two days.
Police Stand Firm
Despite receiving a formal notice from the protest organizers, the police administration has raised significant objections. The protest, led by the Positive Transparency and Accountability Movement – Ghana (PTAAM-GH) in collaboration with Arise Ghana, 1st Time Voters, Election Has Consequence Movement, Alliance for Change Movement, Pillars of Ghana Cadets, and other CSOs in the Greater Accra Region, aims to pressurize the government to address economic issues, combat corruption, and sign the Sexual and Ghanaian Family Values Bill into law.
The Ghana Police claim the protesters intend to mobilize two million youth, creating a security and logistical challenge. Despite attempts to negotiate a reduction in the number of days and duration of the protest, the organizers have not acquiesced, leading the police to formally deny permission for the seven-day demonstration on July 22nd, 2024.
Security Concerns
The police argue that the extended demonstration could compromise public safety, disrupt essential services, and violate the rights of others. The protest period coincides with the Annual Homowo Festival, which often involves security issues due to chieftaincy disputes. The police assert that managing both events would strain their resources and capabilities.
The IGP and his team emphasize that while the right to protest is enshrined in the 1992 Constitution, it must be balanced against public interest and safety. The police have petitioned the court to restrict the demonstration to two days, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm each day, to ensure effective policing and public safety.
Protesters’ Response
Ebenezer Havor, President of PTAAM-GH, expressed frustration in a phone interview, claiming the police have rejected their compromise to adjust the protest hours from 10:00 am to 12:00 midnight daily. He contends that the police are unwilling to accommodate their plans despite their efforts to meet halfway.
Court’s Decision Awaited
The court’s decision on Tuesday 31st July 2024 will determine whether the IGP’s concerns about public safety and operational capabilities will prevail over the protesters’ right to demonstrate. This case underscores the ongoing tension between civil liberties and public order in Ghana’s democratic landscape.
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