Pressure Group, Public Action Against Corruption and Abuse (PAACA) is set to hit the principal streets of Kumasi in the Ashanti region on Thursday, January 30, to demonstrate against the controversial sale of Merchant Bank to private equity fund, Fortiz.

The group contends that the sale of 90 percent stake in Merchant Bank for a “paltry sum” of GH¢90 million to Fortiz does not inure to the benefit of SSNIT contributors.

Public Action Against Corruption and Abuse recently held a similar protest in Accra and intends to replicate it in other parts of the country.

A leading member of the group, who is also the Deputy Communications Director of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Ernest Owusu Bempah, in an interview with CitiNews said the main aim of the protest is to stop the “criminal transaction” by government selling state properties to its cronies at the expense of SSNIT contributors.

According to him, Ghanaians have been shortchanged in what he described as a fraudulent transaction, adding that the pressure group has completed negotiations with the Ashanti Regional Police Command and are ready to hit the metropolis with their massive demonstration.

“The Police Commander has assured us of his protection and plans are far advance for tomorrow’s demonstration”, Owusu Bempah intimated.

On his part, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander in charge of Rapid Development Force, Superintendent Chris Klomega  said they have conducted their risk assessment and agreed on the route for the protest.

He therefore assured the group of maximum security in tomorrow's demonstration but urged the demonstrators to play by the rules.

“We will not countenance any misconduct on the part of the demonstrators. If it’s a lawful enterprise they are there to engage in, we are there to support them but when they go contrary to the law, we are not going to spare them”,Supt Klomega warned.