The Ghana Police Administration has stated that it will not be able to provide security for a demonstration where demonstrators and their contracted private security personnel will be armed with weapons.
This is because the Police said it is in flagrant violation of the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 49) and has the potential to result in a breach of public order and public safety.
The Police noted that on Sunday, May 29, 2022, the Accra Regional Police Command received a notice of intention to embark on a demonstration from a group of persons including one Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah, Captain Godsbrain Smart, Benjamin Darko and Oliver Barker-Vormawor.
Among other things, the Police said the notice indicated that the demonstrators intend to embark on a three-day demonstration, starting on 4th June 2022.
It also noted that the demonstrators intend to contract a private security company to provide protection for the demonstrators and that the demonstrators and the contracted private security personnel will be armed with weapons.
Also, it said that the armed demonstrators will picket at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and the Ghana Police Headquarters, adding that at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), they will demand to speak directly to the nation on GTV and layout their grievances.
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Responding to these, the Police assured the public that the Service is ready and willing to provide the necessary protection for any lawful demonstration in the country.
However, in this case, the Police said the Service is of the view that the nature and character of the demonstration as intended, is inconsistent with the Public Order Act.
“We are therefore unable to provide security for a demonstration which is in flagrant violation of the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 49) and has the potential to result in a breach of public order and public safety,” it stated.
Meanwhile, the Police said it has reached out to the organisers to reconsider their proposal and work with the Police towards the organisation of a lawful, peaceful and successful demonstration.
“We wish to assure the public that in the interest of public safety and security, the Police are putting in place all necessary measures to ensure that unauthorised persons do not march the streets with weapons,” it added.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori