CJA Asked To Postpone March

THE Accra Regional Police Command has asked members of the Committee for Joint Action, a pressure group, to postpone its intended procession on March 6.

A statement signed by the Regional Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police Daniel Akrofi Asiedu, explained that the Police will not be able to provide security for CJA members during the event as stipulated by law.

'Since that day will be the 50th anniversary celebration of the country, majority of the officers and men of the service shall be detailed for the anniversary parade.

'Foreign heads of state, dignitaries, VVIPs and visitors will arrive in the country to witness the occasion and the police will provide the necessary security,' it said.

It said the majority of police personnel will be engaged during the period, and therefore, advised the organisers that 'in the interest of public order and public safety, their intended procession should be postponed to any other date, two weeks after the anniversary day.'

The statement said the decision of the police was in accordance with sub-section (4) of the Public Order Act of 1994, Act 491, which states that 'where a police officer notified of a special event under sub-section (1) has reasonable grounds to believe that the special event if held, may lead to violence or endanger public defence, public orders, public safety, public health or the running of essential services or violates the rights or freedom of other persons, he may request the organisers to postpone the special event to any other date or to relocate the special event.