The police administration has advised organized labour to hold its planned nationwide demonstration this Thursday at the regions instead of the planned nationwide protest this Thursday.

Acting Director of Public Affairs at the Ghana Police Service DSP Cephas Arthur says, that will enable the police to mobilize and provide adequate security and protection for the demonstrators and the general public.

Speaking to Joy News DSP Arthur said “we will not be in the position to provide adequate protection for the demonstrators as well as other people who are going about their duties peacefully and so we suggested to them to hold the demonstration on regional basis to enable the police mobilize enough personnel to provide security and protection for the demonstration”.

Organized labour at a news conference on Friday, July18, declared a nationwide strike indicating its intentions to hit the streets on Thursday July 24, to protest the worsening economic conditions in the country.

In a joint statement, leaders of Organized Labour deplored the recent 23 percent increase in fuel prices and also accused government of passing on taxes and charges to Ghanaians “without estimating the impact of such increases on our wellbeing”.

The Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Haruna Iddrisu appealed to members of the group to recind their decision and “engage government in constructive dialog and consultants with a view to addressing the issues raised within the constraints of the national budget and the overall performance of the economy”.

However General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, Kofi Asamoah has said it is was important for workers to be allowed to express their frustrations on their working conditions in the country.

He further sated: “we are yet to get any indications by the police that they have a problem with the simultaneous nature if the protestations in all the regions”.  

He says the police should see be able to cover the demonstration just as they do during May Day celebrations because, it is held in all regions of the country and the police have never had problems doing so.

He assured that the protest would be a peaceful one which intended to allow the workers to express their frustrations "generally”.