Accra police close roads for ‘Night of Bliss’ event

The Accra Regional Police Command has announced the closure of some roads to traffic temporarily from midday today ahead of the ‘Night of Bliss’ event.

The event is being organised by Pastor Chris Oyakilome of the Christ Embassy Church at the Black Star Square.

A statement signed by the Public Affairs Officer of the Accra Region, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mrs Afia Tenge, mentioned the roads to be closed as the 28th

February Road connecting the CEPS Headquarters traffic lights, Starlets ‘91’ road connecting the Ministries traffic lights, Castle Road joining the AU Circle towards the State

House, Starlet ‘91’ road from Osu Cemetery traffic lights to the Black Star square and Labone Junction towards Osu.

The rest, it said, were Osu traffic light towards the Crossroads, Otoo Kofi Street behind the Crossroads and Lokko road.

Comportment

The statement requested motorists to observe the arrangements and plan for alternative routes before embarking on their respective journeys.

It added that police personnel would be positioned at vantage points to assist with traffic direction and diversions for a successful event.

Car parks

As part of smooth vehicular movement, the statement listed a number of places designated as car parks for the event.

They are the Afua Sutherland Children’s Park, the Arts Centre/Hearts Park; the Riveria Drive; the Cocoa Affairs/Old Court; the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and the Baiden Powell car park.

The rest are the Hockey Stadium; Rawlings Park; City Car park and Osekan Car Park.

Reaction

Reacting to public concerns about the temporary closure of the roads for the church activity, Mrs Tenge told the Daily Graphic that the decision of the police to temporary close some roads for the church event was in line with the Public Order Act.

She said the Act provided that the police could temporarily close roads for a funeral, a procession, an inauguration of a chief or a demonstration that would attract 700 people and more.

Therefore, Mrs Tenge said it was the duty of the police to provide adequate security per the law but not because it was a church activity.

“It is line with the law. The police has not breached any law,” she said.

Meawhile a section of the public has questioned the decision of the police to close roads on a working day especially at the government business enclave like the Ministries.
Ama Amponsah, a civil servant, asked whether the police and for that matter the government was asking those who operate business in the area such as civil servants, lawyers and litigants not to work today.

Emmanuel Danso another civil servant said the decision was counter-productive and was going to make movement in Accra difficult.

Elikem Demanya, a law clerk, said the decision by the police could not be defended and asked those who took the decision to take another look at it otherwise it was a licence stay away from work.