The Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has questioned the reasons given by the police not to allow the Minority to end its #OccupyBoG protest at the Bank Ghana (BoG) headquarters.

The Minority in a statement issued on August 28 stated that, the “security zone” pretext given by the police is “untenable, troubling and unwholesome for the Ghana Police Service’s motto of Service with integrity.”

Dr Forson’s comment follows the police response to their letter of notice with regard to the proposed routes for the protest.

The Minority proposed it will start the September 5 demonstration to demand the resignation of the BoG Governor, Dr Ernest Addison and his two deputies from the frontage of Parliament.

They suggested using the following route: Osu Cemetery Traffic Light – Ministry of Finance – High Court Complex – Kinbu – Makola – Rawlings Park to Opera Square and to the Bank of Ghana to present their petition.

However, the police raised concerns about the selected routes noting that the routes may endanger public order and safety.

They also noted that they did not want the protest to obstruct traffic.

In this regard, the police suggested that the Minority converge at Obra Spot – Circle – Adabraka road building to the City Centre – Cedi House to Independence Square.

But the Minority Leader is not convinced with the alternate routes provided as well as the security reasons given by the police.

“How is the Bank of Ghana Headquarters designated by the Police as a security zone and the Cedi House, another Bank of Ghana edifice that the Police proposed that we march through not a security zone?” he asked.

He added “I do not want to believe that you are citing or hiding behind a “security zone” to thwart our planned protest and for the Police to shirk its constitutional duty of providing security for persons who desire to publicly manifest their revulsion and abhorrence at the central bank’s reckless management.”’

According to him, there have been peaceful marches on the routes being rejected by the police with the aid of the police, therefore the police have no sufficient and compelling grounds to refuse the #OccupyBoG protest on the said routes.

Also read: https://myjoyonline.com/minority-resist-police-alternative-route-for-occupy-bog-protest/

For this reason, Dr Forson rejected the police’s alternative routes provided for the protest.

“Our constitution guarantees a right to protest and it is your constitutional responsibility to ensure that we do so along the routes we have chosen peacefully and securely and you must live up to your basic responsibilities.

"Please prepare to honour your constitutional duty along the routes we have designated for the #OccupyBoG protest on the date that we have informed the Police and announced to the good people of Ghana. You have reasonable notice and enough time to prepare."