Combat ready Police OfficersÂ
The Upper East Regional Police Command has secured a high court injunction on a demonstration that was scheduled for Monday, February 11, 2019, by some persons from the Talensi District in the Upper East Region.
A statement from the police signed by the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Osei Kwaku Ampofo Duku, warned the organisers and the general public that the High Court order prohibits and restraints people from the Talensi District and the public as a whole from embarking on a demonstration/press release on Monday as planned. The public is to note that any attempts to flout the directive of the High Court by anyone or group of persons amounts to breach of the High Court order and will be arrested and prosecuted.
Prior to the injunction, the group has had a series of meetings with the police and the two seem to have had difficulties in reaching an agreement on the mode of the demonstration, hence the injunction.
Charles Boazor, a leading member of the group that was planning the demonstration, said they would comply with the order even though they are not happy with the decision of the police.
He expressed surprise at the action of the police, especially when they had reached some agreement and were willing to comply.
“… We are not blaming the police, we know that they are being controlled to do so,” Mr. Boazor stated.
The group claimed they represented the people of the Talensi District and was going to demonstrate against the presence and operations of Shaanxi Mining Company Limited in the Gbane community in the Talensi District in the Upper East Region.
The demonstrators had planned to march from the Talensi District through Tongo and Winkongo and then to the Bolgatanga Municipality (over 30 kilometres) to present their petition to the Upper East Regional Minister, Paulina Abayage, at the Regional Coordinating Council.
They had given some indication that they did not want to present their petition to the Talensi District Chief Executive, Dr. Christopher Boabil, hence their decision to march to Bolgatanga and to meet the regional minister.
FROM: Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Bolgatanga