The Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide Newspaper, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, has underscored the importance of heeding the Public Order Act during demonstrations. Doing so, he stated, will court public support for demonstrators in case they are mistreated by the police whiles ensuring that demonstrations are conducted within the confines of the law. The Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491) enjoins demonstrators to inform the Police Service in writing, not less than five clear days, before hitting the streets. The act further stipulates that organizers must comply when the Police ask organizers to postpone or relocate an event by notifying the Police in writing within 48 hours of their willingness to do so. Mr Baako’s advice follows reports of maltreatment meted out to demonstrating teachers last week. The teachers were demonstrating against anomalies in their salaries upon their migration onto the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS). The Police say they had to act to protect life and property when teachers in Accra turned riotous, hurling stones at them after the same teachers had flagrantly breached an agreement in which only the leaders of the demonstration were to be allowed to present a petition to the Accountant General. Teachers in the Brong Ahafo region have since demanded an apology from the Police Service but its Public Affairs Director Supt. Kwesi Ofori has said the administration would not apologise, insisting their action was in consonance with the law. However, Mr. Baako who was contributing to discussions on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo Wednesday, condemned the Police for their act and urged them to exercise much restraint given similar circumstances in future. He described as false, allegations by Police that some teachers wielded weapons and carried stones. He noted that if teachers used stones they were likely to have picked them from the scene of the demonstration and not from their homes. “…that cannot be true, oh it cannot be! we have been victims of such things [allegations] before… “I can’t see how those teachers could have armed themselves with cutlasses, stones and sticks …they won’t leave their homes or classrooms with cutlasses and stones,” Mr Baako insisted, adding that teachers have never been in the category of groups who use violence to push for demands. In view of this he noted that “there is no need for the Police to fabricate excuses… to rationalise their action.” Story by Dorcas Efe Mensah/myjoyonline.com/Ghana