Court stops AFAG’s ‘Aagbe wɔ’ demonstration
The police administration has secured a court injunction on the planned ‘Aagbe wɔ’ demonstration scheduled for Thursday November 6, 2014.
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The court placed the injunction after an ex parte application by the police administration.
According to the police, it cannot allow the demonstration to go ahead on the said date since ECOWAS Heads of States would be gathering in Accra same day on November 6.
The injunction has since been served on the leaders of the pressure group, the Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) which is organising the demonstration.
The court order asked AFAG to agree on a new date with the police.
AFAG had said it was going to gather their members and Ghanaians to demonstrate against government on November 6 since government was not being “transparent and decisive.”
“It is the belief of this group that we have an opportunistic government in office. We are fighting against incompetence and indecision. We are fighting against the lack of transparency and accountability, the demonstration is premised on two things, corruption and hardships,” AFAG said.
One of the leading members of AFAG, Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie had explained that President Mahama was “killing” Ghanaians and that was why they themed the demonstration, “Aagbe wɔ” – meaning “we are being killed.”
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Confirming that the injunction had been served on them on Asempa FM Friday afternoon, Dr Afriyie said they were surprised at the behavior of the police service and that they have not been frank with AFAG.
He said even though the police had been notified in accordance with the law and they had agreed with them that November 6 was open, they called and informed them (AFAG) about the ECOWAS Heads of State meeting only yesterday (Thursday).
He said AFAG had indicated it was prepared to go ahead with the demonstration without police protection and that they “smelled the hand of government in the decision of the police.”
“We feel the events in Burkina Faso is shaking the system and mass action have brought meaning to the lives of people in Burkina Faso …”
AFAG had indicated to the police for them to put it into writing if they wanted the November 6 date to be changed to which they agreed but the police were smart in going to court only for the secretary to be called and given an injunction that you guys can’t go, Dr Afriyie said.
“The police itself, they were not frank with the group. The gentleman was invited to come for a letter which in the morning they have said they wanted us to change our date which we had said no….they only called us that our letter was ready only to be served with the injunction.”
In the meantime, Dr Afriyie said AFAG was contemplating on moving the demonstration to November 5, same date as what labour unions have planned to go on a demonstration in connection with the tier 2 of their pensions.
Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh