IGP, George Akuffo-Dampare
The Ghana Police Service has justified the court injunction placed on the Democracy Hub #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration, which was slated for September 21 to 23 at Revolution Square, in front of the Jubilee House, Accra.
In a press briefing yesterday, ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Director of Ghana Police Public Affairs, indicated that as per the provision of the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491), “The Police conducted an assessment of the proposed location for the picketing. Following the assessment, the Police concluded that holding the protests at Revolutionary Square could affect public order, endanger public defence, public safety, and public health,” she said.
ACP Ansah-Akrofi further stated that the service engaged with the organisers and requested them to consider an alternative location for the picketing.
“The organisers refused to consider an alternative location and insisted on picketing at Revolutionary Square. The police were, therefore, compelled to take the matter to the court for a determination,” she added.
Court Order
An application was subsequently filed by Chief Inspector of Police, Richard Asamoah, stationed at the Greater Accra Regional Police Headquarters, on September 17, aimed at restraining the organisers from proceeding with their protest.
ACP Ansah-Akrofi announced that on September 18, 2024, the High Court granted an order to prohibit Democracy Hub from embarking on the demonstration.
ACP Ansah-Akrofi reiterated that the planned three-day #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration by Democracy Hub has not been stopped as their only disagreement with the demonstration is the choice of Revolution Square, in front of the Jubilee House, as the location for the protest.
The police noted that they had put sufficient measures in place to provide security for the three-day exercise once a new location is agreed upon with the organisers.
“The Ghana Police Service throughout its engagement with the Democracy Hub assured them of the readiness of the Police to provide the necessary security for the planned protest.
“We look forward to agreeing on a new location to enable the organisers to exercise their democratic right to protest,” she said.
Protest Notice
On Monday, July 15, 2024, Democracy Hub announced its plans to hold a three-day demonstration from September 21 to 23 at Revolution Square, located across Liberation Road, opposite Jubilee House.
The demonstration aimed at drawing attention on key national issues such as socio-economic injustice, unemployment, rising poverty, state capture, nepotism, corruption, and the need for judicial independence.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke