The Ghana Police Service has rescinded its earlier decision to not provide, the Youth Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), protection during its demonstration scheduled for Tuesday, July 6.
This is the outcome of a meeting held Friday, between Inspector-General of Police, James Oppong-Boanuh and the organisers of the demonstration at the Police Headquaters to address concerns raised by the party. The demonstration is dubbed, "A March for Justice."
Taking to its Facebook post, the Ghana Police Service said, "the Police are poised to provide the necessary security for the safety of the planned demonstration by the youth of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday 6th July, 2021.
"The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. James Oppong-Boanuh has held a meeting with the organisers at the Police Headquarters, Accra on 2nd July, 2021. All matters relating to the march was discussed and agreed, including the routes and COVID-19 protocols."
Deputy Accra Region Police Commander, DCOP E.A. Sakyi, earlier, on Thursday, stated that the Service is unable to offer security due to the Executive Instrument (E.I) 395 that is still in force and Section 4 of the Public Order Act 1994 (ACT 49).
“The Accra Regional Police Command acknowledged receipt of your letter dated 30th June 2021 on the above subject and wish to inform you that, restrictions imposed by the Executive Instrument (E. I) 395 to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic has still not been lifted. The Regional Command also refers you to Section 4 of the Public Order Act 1994 (Act 49) particularly concerning Public Health.
“The Command, therefore, cannot provide you with the needed security during your intended demonstration and street protest, please,” its press statement communicated.
The party’s National Youth Organiser, George Opare Addo, in response accused the Police of sleeping on its core duties and turning the security service into an agency of politics.
“In recent times, the Ghana Police Service Service has slept on its core responsibilities to the general citizenry of our beloved country in such wanton disregard to its duty. The Ghana Police Service has metamorphosed into an agency of politics being used by government for its partisan bidding.”
But after further consultation, the party has been given the green light to hit the streets of Accra to, “demand justice for all persons killed and brutalized by state-sponsored thuggery and/or adventurism by police and military forces” and also demand social justice for the unemployed youth in the country.
Member of Parliament for the Ningo-Prampram constituency, Sam Nartey George also took to Facebook post to share the news.
The protest was first scheduled to commence at 8 am to midday but the Ningo-Prampram legislator has disclosed that it will take place at 6 am from the Accra Mall instead of Madina, the Accra business district, Osu and Lapaz, earlier disclosed as the starting points.
The group will however, meet at the Jubilee House to present a petition to President Akufo-Addo, Inspector-General of Police, James Oppong-Boanuh and Speaker Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin as planned.
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