Ghana Police Seeks Injunction Against December Protests

 

BY PERRAH

The Ghana Police Service has taken legal action by filing an application at the High Court to seek an injunction against three groups planning to stage demonstrations in December. Democracy Hub, Patriotic Hub, and the Patriotic Forum for Accountable Governance had earlier notified the police about their intended protests at the Jubilee House throughout December 2023.

Two of the groups explicitly expressed their intention to demand the resignation or impeachment of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Meanwhile, the Patriotic Forum for Accountable Governance stated that its protest aims to express appreciation to the president for his efforts in sustaining the country through the COVID-19 pandemic and leading it on the path of economic recovery.

The Ghana Police Service, in a letter, reported that after conducting a security threat assessment of the proposed demonstrations, they engaged with the organizers to discuss challenges and communicated their inability to provide the required security. Consequently, the police requested the groups to postpone their protest to a date after January 5, 2023. However, the organizers declined to comply with the request.

In response to the refusal, on November 15, 2023, the Police Command filed an application at the High Court seeking an order to prohibit the holding of the planned events. The legal action indicates the authorities' concerns regarding the security implications of the proposed demonstrations and the potential impact on public order.

The move raises questions about the balance between citizens' right to peaceful assembly and the authorities' duty to maintain public safety and order. The court's decision on the police injunction application will likely have significant implications for the planned demonstrations and the broader discourse on civic engagement and democratic rights in Ghana.