The Ghana Police Service (GPS) has applied to the court for the prohibition of a demonstration dubbed the #OccupyJulorBiHouse Protest by an Accra-based civil society group called Democracy Hub.
In a statement released by the GPS, the demonstration by the group was set to take place in the vicinity of the Jubilee House from Thursday 21st to Saturday 23rd September, 2023.
The GPS revealed that the court has received the application and will await the court’s determination on the matter.
The GPS further discouraged any form of picketing around the Jubilee House, advising the general public to refrain from calls encouraging them to demonstrate in the said area.
“As we wait for the court to determine the matter, we wish to urge the public to take note and disregard any calls from any individuals or groups encouraging them to assemble for a demonstration at the Jubilee House.”
Meanwhile, the statement also implied that the need for public safety and order was the motivation for an application to prohibit the Democracy Hub’s group.
“We equally wish to urge the organisers to respect the due process in the interest of public order and public safety.”
The Democracy Hub had planned the demonstration to protest “the President and members of the Economic Management Team to #FixTheCountry in light of the level of economic mismanagement and theft that has engulfed our government from the highest levels.”
With Nkrumah’s memorial Day as the selected date for the demonstration, the group intended to spread across the message of resilience and resistance in the face of oppression.
Simultaneously, the Democracy Hub had released a statement on Wednesday stating that the demonstration would take place as planned in opposition to the Police Service’s statement.
The general public has however been invited to join the protest from 6:30 am at the 37 trotro Station to begin the picket.
“Our Picket will proceed as planned. We invite the general public to assemble at the 37 Trotro station from 6:30am tomorrow for our onward march to the Julo-bi House.”
Whether the protest will take place or not would be determined by the events that may unfold tomorrow in conjunction with the court’s response on the matter.
