Thousands of people are demonstrating in Accra against economic hardships nationwide.

Organisers of the demonstration, The Committee for Joint Action (CJA), a pressure group made up of individuals and activists of opposition political parties, says the march is against recent increases in petroleum prices, electricity and water tariffs. The latest addition is the proposed air time tax on mobile phones.

The group has also accused the government of insensitivity towards the plight of the suffering masses.

The marchers are all clad in red to symbolize mourning. Incidentally, the demonstration has been christened ‘Yewuoo’, to wit, ‘we are dying.’

The march started at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra early morning and expected to end up at the Arts Centre where a rally has been planned.

Orderly demonstration

	One of the hundreds of placards bearing the messages of the demonstrators.

Although former President Rawlings and the NDC Flagbearer, Professor John Evans Atta Mills were billed to join the protest, neither of them showed up at the beginning. Joy news learnt that the NDC flagbearer who is out of town failed to catch a flight last night to be present.

It was however unclear why former President Rawlings, whose office had issued a statement on his participation also failed to show up. The absence of the two opposition figures notwithstanding, organizers said they were happy with the large turnout.

The Accra police commander DCOP Kwaku Ayensu Opare Addo who deployed heavy security for the march says he is pleased with the conduct of the protestors so far.