The Ghana Police Service has obtained a court order prohibiting the Democracy Hub from holding its planned protest at Revolution Square, in front of Jubilee House, seat of Government from 21st to 23rd September 2024.
The protest was first communicated to the police on 9th July 2024 by the Democracy Hub.
According to the police, an assessment of the proposed location revealed that the demonstration could pose risks to public order, safety, defence, and health. As a result, the police suggested an alternative venue for the protest in line with the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491).
However, the organizers refused to consider an alternate location, leading the police to seek a judicial determination.
On 18th September 2024, the High Court granted an order to stop the protest from being held at Revolution Square.
In a statement, the Ghana Police Service emphasized that they have not denied the Democracy Hub’s right to protest but only objected to the location. “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,” the statement read.
The police assured the organizers and the public of their readiness to provide security for the protest once a new location is agreed upon. “We look forward to agreeing on a new location to enable the organizers to exercise their democratic right to protest,” the police added.
The Democracy Hub has yet to announce whether they will accept the alternative location or pursue other legal avenues to maintain their original protest site.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
