A stand-off between the police and protesters abated when the police backed down after initially attempting to prevent the demonstrators from converging at the Independence Square.

Myjoyonline.com's Nathan Gadugah reports, the leadership of the labour unions upon realising that the Hearts Park will not be able to contain the sheer number of protesters due to the high turnout, decided to converge at the Independence Square instead.

But the police attempted to prevent them from heading to the Independence Square and formed a human wall just in front of Department of Lotteries building on the Atta Mills' High Street.

                          

The police later backed down when pressure mounted from demonstrators who are said to be numbering over a thousand.

"The demonstrators then run towards the Independence Square as if they have won independence," Gadugah reports.

                       

Organised labour is protesting against the difficulties the economy is facing and are demanding immediate action from government to address the challenges.

They rejected pleas from the government to suspend the action since efforts were underway to introduce policies to manage the situation.

Demonstrations are being held across the ten regional capitals smultaneously to offer the workers the opportunity to vent their frustrations at government's handling of the economy.

In Accra, a petition will be presented to the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Haruna Iddrisu.