The Committee for Joint Action says it will not honor an invitation to meet with the Accra Regional Police Commander DCOP Kwaku Ayensu Opare Addo. The CJA, which plans a public demonstration on the streets of the capital on December 11 to express displeasure at what it calls the high cost of living and recent exorbitant increases in petroleum prices, electricity and water tariffs, says the refusal to see the police boss is informed by his bias, extremely arrogant posture and unprofessional attitude. In November, petroleum prices have gone up by an average of 10 percent while utility tariffs have been increased by 35 percent. The CJA says the high cost of living shows government is insensitive to the plight of Ghanaians. The group has notified the Accra Commander in accordance with the Public Order Act but the police is asking that the group explores other alternatives such as dialogue. According to Alhaji Ramadan, a member of the CJA, the police boss was arrogating to himself roles he should not be playing and has in the past showed himself supportive of government against opposing views and the CJA would not bow to his commands. Alhaji Ramadan said the police boss has asked the group to table their grievances so he (Opare Addo) would meet with the Chief of Staff to discuss them with the view to resolving them. He said the police may choose to stay away from the demonstration but the group will go ahead with it with or without police protection. However the Police Commander, who disputed the accusations against him, told Joy News the Police Service will provide the required protection if its men do not have a major security assignment on the same date. He also explained that giving the police the mandatory notification was not enough and that there was need to discuss several other issues hence his invitation to the CJA. (You can listen to DCOP Kwaku Ayensu Opare Addo’s arguments in the attached audio. He spoke with Joy News’ Matilda Asante.)