Audio By Carbonatix
Executive Director of the Human Rights and Governance Centre, Martin Kpebu, has opined that the Supreme Court's quashing of the injunction against the #Fixthecountry demonstration sends a clear message to the Ghana Police Service that no one has the right to deny an individual's right to protest.
According to him, Ghanaians must commend the Supreme Court for coming to the ordinary citizen’s rescue, "the Supreme Court has done right by us, by finally stating that the police cannot take our rights for granted.
"When it comes to the demonstration, the Supreme Court’s ruling is more than sufficient, it's more than even the intended demonstration, at least it has put the Police at the wrong side of history that in these matters they shouldn’t rush to Court.
He was contributing to discussions on Joy FM's Top Story Tuesday, June 8. His comment was in respect of the clash between the #FixTheCountry protestors and some personnel of the Ghana Police Service at the premises of the Accra High Court during which it is alleged that the police manhandled and prevented the protestors from entering the court premises.
Mr Kpebu said he found it mind-boggling that the Police Service chose 'ambush litigation' means to prevent the demonstrators from exercising their right to protest.
"This kind of ambush litigation was thrown away 10 years back, yet the Police could not modernise, they still like that 'Buga buga' practice," Mr Kpebu said.
The Police on several occasions tried preventing #Fixthecountry protestors from hiting the streets to exercise their right to demonstrate for change.
They secured a restraining order from a High Court to bar the agitated youth from embarking on a planned protest shortly after the National Security Coordinator, Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah met convenors of the #FixTheCountry movement to discuss concerns raised during the social media uproar.
The order, granted by Justice Ruby Aryeetey, prevented the group from proceeding with the protest march on the said day “or any other date until the restriction on public gathering is lifted.”
And on the day the protesters headed to the premises of the Accra High Court to hear court ruling, it is alleged that some personnel of the Ghana Police Service deliberately tried preventing them from entering the court premises.
This development turned the otherwise peaceful march chaotic. The presiding judge had to suspend proceedings to allow the lawyers of the agitating youth to intervene and calm them down.
However, in a ruling handed down today, June 8, the Supreme Court set aside the injunction from the High Court and ordered the protester to go ahead with their demonstration.
#FixTheCountry started as an online protest which metamorphosed into a movement – spearheaded largely by the youth, meant to amplify sentiments such as the rising unemployment rate, inefficient health systems, the skyrocketing cost of rent, poor road networks among others, which the youth say are hurting their standard of living.
Mr Kpebu has however advised the protestors to forgo the demonstration exercise indicating that the verdict of the Supreme Court speaks volumes, hence 'there is no point in the demonstration anymore.'
Latest Stories
-
Police foil suspected robbery at Ashaiman; 3 suspects killed
4 minutes -
Forest Okyeman: Communities rise to defend one of Ghana’s last ecological strongholds
9 minutes -
AFCON 2025: South Africa start tournament with win over Angola
38 minutes -
Why Ghana’s insurance laws still fail claimants, according to new KNUST research
48 minutes -
GPL 2025/26: Medeama score late to draw with Basake Holy Stars
1 hour -
Rapperholic Creators challenge blends digital talent and financial discipline for Ghanaian youth
1 hour -
Justice on a leash – Minority claims law enforcement is being used to punish political opponents
1 hour -
Dr Gideon Boako provides ¢10k seed capital for TanoFest Programme
1 hour -
Bond market: Turnover rose by 64.39% to GH¢6.75bn
2 hours -
Dutylex promises more in 2026; targets market expansion
2 hours -
Government grants permits for Responsible Cooperative Mining in Anwia, Teleku Bokazo
2 hours -
Bawumia still NPP’s strongest asset — Northern region operations team
2 hours -
Christian Service University inaugurates Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante as first chancellor
2 hours -
Kumasi gridlock forces commuters to walk miles ahead of Christmas rush
2 hours -
Paramount Chief of Assin Fosu honours John Boadu at grand durbar
2 hours
