The Ghana Police Service has stated that the planned three-day #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration by Democracy Hub has not been stopped.
According to the Police, their only disagreement with the demonstration is the choice of the Revolution Square, in front of the Jubilee House, as the location for the protest.
In a statement on Thursday, September 19, the Police stated that they received a notice from Democracy Hub on July 9, 2024, regarding a planned protest from September 21 to 23, 2024, at the Revolution Square in front of the Jubilee House.
The statement explained that in line with the provisions of the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491), the Police conducted an assessment of the proposed location for the picketing and concluded that holding the protest at Revolution Square could affect public order, endanger public safety, public defence, and public health.
As a result, the Police said they engaged the organisers and requested that they consider an alternative location for the picketing.
However, the Police said the organisers refused to consider an alternative location and insisted on picketing at the Revolution Square, which led the Police to take the matter to court for a determination.
“Yesterday, 18th September, 2024 the High Court granted an order to prohibit Democracy Hub from embarking on the demonstration at the Revolution Square from the 21st to 23rd September, 2024. The Ghana Police Service throughout its engagement with the Democracy Hub assured them of the readiness of the Police to provide the necessary security for the planned protest.
“For purposes of emphasis, we wish to state categorically, that the Ghana Police Service has not stopped Democracy Hub from embarking on the planned protest. The only disagreement is on their choice of the Revolution Square, in front of the Jubilee House as the location for the protest,” part of the statement read.
The Police noted that they have put sufficient measures in place to provide security for the three-day exercise once a new location is agreed upon with the organisers.
“This has been communicated in a letter to the organisers, and we look forward to agreeing on a new location to enable the organisers to exercise their democratic right to protest,” the statement added.
