The Ghana Police Service and the leadership of Democracy Hub have once again failed to reach an agreement regarding the group’s planned demonstration.
According to a statement by the Police, a meeting with organizers on Friday, September 20, 2024, to discuss their intended demonstration scheduled for September 21-23, 2024, at the Revolution Square, in front of the Jubilee House ended in a deadlock.
The Director of Public Affairs, ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, emphasized that the Police drew the organizers’ attention to a court order prohibiting the demonstration at the proposed location, citing concerns for public order, safety, health, and the operation of essential services. She noted that the organizers acknowledged receiving the court order.
In response, the Police requested the organizers to propose alternative locations for the demonstration. The organizers suggested venues such as the 37 Roundabout, Airport Roundabout, Opeibea Intersection, Stanbic Heights, Christ the King Church, and Arko Adjei Interchange.
However, the Police assessed these alternatives and concluded that holding the demonstration at any of the suggested locations could endanger public defense, order, safety, health, and the operation of essential services.
As a compromise, the Police proposed seven alternative locations: the Cantonments Post Office-DVLA stretch, the VAG Association Junction-MTN Head Office on Liberation Road, the El Wak Stadium car park, Obra Spot, Kawkudi, Efua Sutherland Park, and the front of the Trade Fair Centre. Despite these suggestions, the organizers refused to accept any of the proposed locations, and no agreement was reached.
The Police Service urged the organizers to reconsider their stance and select one of the proposed locations.
They also disclosed intelligence reports indicating that some demonstrators might be planning to jeopardize peace, security, law, and order during the protest.
The intelligence gathered allegedly revealed plans to wield weapons, wear bulletproof vests and helmets, attack members of parliament and other state officials, assault police officers, target critical installations such as government buildings and power facilities, use catapults and stones, and cause chaos on roads with motorbikes. There were also reports of plans to disrupt business centers and create widespread disorder.
The Police called on the organizers to caution their members against any unlawful acts and urged them to abide by the Public Order Act 1994 (Act 491) and other laws of the country. The organizers were warned that they would be held accountable for any breach of the law.