Police ready to provide security for Democracy Hub's street protest but the venue must change

The police has said it was ready to provide security for Democracy Hub's planned three day street protest but it disagrees with the venue for the protest - the Revolution Square.

According to the police it was ready but Democracy Hub must change the venue from the Revolution Square located opposite the seat of government at the Jubilee House.

At a press briefing on Thursday, the Police clarified that it has not stopped Democracy Hub from embarking on their planned protest.

The Ghana Police in a statement Thursday evening explained that "following an invitation extended to the Democracy Hub by the Police for further engagement on their planned demonstration scheduled for 21st to 23rd September 2024, the organisers have written back to Police indicating their readiness to engage with the Police tomorrow, 20th September 2024, on the choice of location for their demonstration."

Earlier, the police explained that on July 9, 2024, it received notice from the Democracy Hub of a planned protest by way of picketing from September 21 to 23, 2024, at the Revolution Square in front of the Jubilee House in Accra. 

That, it explained, was "in line with the provisions of the Public Oder Act, 1994 (Act 491) and following that, the Police conducted an assessment of the proposed location for the picketing.

However, after the assessment, the Police concluded that holding the protest at the Revolution Square for three days could affect public order, endanger public defence, public safety and public health. 

As a result, in the interest of public defence, public order, public safety and the running of essential services, the Police engaged the organisers and requested them to consider an alternative location for the picketing. 

However, the organisers refused to consider an alternative location and insisted on picketing at the Revolution Square. The Police was therefore compelled to take the matter to the court for a determination," a statement issued by the police on Thursday afternoon, September 19, 2024, explained. 

The Police said on Wednesday, September 18, 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," the statement further indicated. 

It added, "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.

Court order

“It is hereby ordered that the group, Democracy Hub together with their convenors, assigns, agents or any other person assigned with the group are prohibited from embarking on the intended demonstration at the Revolution Square behind the Liberation Road opposite Jubilee House from 21st day of September, 2024, to 23rd day of September, 2024 from 6:00am to 11:00pm on each of the days or any other day for that matter,” the court stated.

The order was granted pursuant to Article 21(1)(d) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees Freedom of Assembly, and its exceptions under Article 21(4)(a) and (c), as well as under Section 1(4), (5), and (6) of the Police Order Act (Act 491).

On Monday, July 15, Democracy Hub revealed plans for a three-day protest from September 21 to 23 at Revolution Square, across Liberation Road, opposite Jubilee House.

In a press release, the group stated that it had officially informed the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, in accordance with the Public Order Act, securing the necessary legal authorisation for the demonstration.

Sufficient security measures

The police statement indicated that it has put in place sufficient measures to provide security for the exercise from 21st to 23rd September 2024, when a new location is agreed between the organisers and the Police.

"This has been duly communicated in a letter to the organisers and we look forward to agreeing on a new location to enable the organizers to exercise their democratic right to protest," the statement said.