Reasons for FixTheCountry Demo not compelling – Ghana Police
The Ghana Police Service says the reasons given by some Ghanaians for a need to hit the streets to demand better living conditions are not compelling.
The Ghana Police Service says the protestors have indicated the purpose of the demonstration to be geared at protesting a string of broken promises by successive government. This, according to the police administration, is not compelling enough.
The Service says the reasons are neither pressing nor urgent to warrant a court sanction to permit the street protest. This is contained in an Affidavit in support of a motion filed at the High Court seeking to restrain the protestors from embarking on the street protest. In the last few weeks, some Ghanaians have agitated through a social media hashtag FixTheCountry, demanding better living conditions.
A planned May 9 protest was scuttled as the police secured a court order barring any protest till the Covid-19 restrictions on public gatherings are lifted. This order was set aside by the Supreme Court on Tuesday as it ruled that it was contrary to law.
However, the Ghana Police Service, in a statement shortly after the ruling, warned against anyone attempting to protest, saying there is a pending case at the High Court.
The Police Service document, which was signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Benjamin Osei Addae on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, argues that the protest will be “a super spreader of Covid-19”.
He also describes as not feasible proposed plans by the group to avoid the spread of the virus. Therefore, he urges the court to bar any such protest until the restrictions on public gatherings are lifted.
