The Ghana Police Service has offered to provide security for the upcoming Democracy Hub demonstration, provided the organisers agree to change the proposed location.
The police have advised the protesters to reconsider the route for the demonstration, citing concerns that the Revolutionary Square, which is located in front of Jubilee House, could affect public order and endanger public defence.
The protest, scheduled from September 21 to 23, aims to address various critical issues affecting the country, including socio-economic injustice, unemployment, rising poverty, state capture, nepotism, corruption, and the need for judicial independence.
According to a statement from the police, they received notice of the planned protest on July 9 and conducted an assessment of the proposed location.
Following this assessment, they concluded that holding the protest at the Revolutionary Square could pose a threat to public safety and order.
The police requested the organisers to consider an alternative location, but they refused to comply.
The matter was subsequently taken to court, and on September 18, the High Court granted an order prohibiting the demonstration at the Revolutionary Square from September 21 to 23.
However, the police have emphasised that they have not banned the protest entirely, but rather are seeking a new location for the event.
The police have assured that they are ready to provide security for the event if a new location is agreed upon by both parties.
Read below the statement by the Police
POLICE STATEMENT ON PLANNED DEMONSTRATION BY DEMOCRACY HUB
The Ghana Police Service on 9th July 2024, received notice from the Democracy Hub of a planned protest by way of picketing from 21st to 23rd September 2024 at the Revolution Square in front of the Jubilee House.
In line with the provisions of the Public Oder 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 the Revolutionary Square could affect public order, and endanger public defence, public safety and public health.
As a result, in the interest of public defence, public order, public safety and the running of essential services, the Police engaged the organizers and requested them to consider an alternative location for the picketing.
However, the organizers refused to consider an alternative location and insisted on picketing at the Revolutionary Square. The Police was therefore compelled to take the matter to the court for a determination.
Yesterday, 18th September, 2024 the High Court granted an order to prohibit Democracy Hub from embarking on the demonstration at the Revolution Square from the 21st to 23rd September, 2024.
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.
For purposes of emphasis, we wish to state categorically, that the Ghana Police Service has not stopped Democracy Hub from embarking on the planned protest. The only disagreement is on their choice of the Revolution Square, in front of the Jubilee House as the location for the protest. The Service has put in place sufficient measures to provide security for the exercise from 21st to 23rd September when a new location is agreed between the organizers and the Police. This has been duly communicated in a letter to the organizers and we look forward to agreeing on a new location to enable the organizers to exercise their democratic right to protest.