Police, organisers agree on route for demonstration

Accra, Feb 28, GNA - The Police and the Committee for Joint Action, organisers of the protest against the recent increase in fuel prices, on Monday agreed on the route for the demonstration on Tuesday. A statement from the Police Public Relations Directorate said after a lengthy meeting with representatives of the organisers it was agreed that the demonstration would follow the route from Kwame Nkrumah Circle through Adabraka, Farisco Traffic Light, TUC Headquarters, National Theatre, Ministries Traffic Light, Accra Sports Stadium, Osu Cemetery Traffic Light to Parliament House.

The organisers had indicated to use Kwame Nkrumah Circle through Adabraka, Kingsway, UTC, WATO, Opera Square, Makola Electricity, AESC, Ministries, Accra Stadium, Osu Military Cemetery to Parliament House while another group would move from Agbogbloshie Market through Hanson Road, Asafoatse Nettey Road to meet the group from Kwame Nkrumah Circle at WATO. However, Inspector General of Police Nana Owusu Nsiah explained the difficulty on the part of the Police to provide security on the routes mentioned by the organisers.

The meeting followed a letter from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on 23rd February 2005 indicating that the Party and other progressive democratic forces would embark on the demonstration. It said a meeting was held on Friday and Monday to discuss the demonstration and the routes to be used. Some executive members of the NDC and members of other opposition political parties including Mr Baba Jamal, Mr Bedie Zedeng, Mr Henry Gidi and Mr Kwasi Pratt attended the meeting. Also at the meeting were Mr Kofi Portuphy, Alhaji Baturi Iddrisu, Mr Ahmed Ramadan and eight others.

The IGP drew their attention to the Public Order Act 1994 (ACT 491) and assured the organisers and the public that the Police take the necessary security measures to maintain peace and order in the city. He appealed to members of the public on demonstration and those watching to conduct themselves in accordance with the laws of Ghana. The organisers agreed to adhere to the routes stated by the Police and promised to take responsibility for any breach of peace or lapses. They gave the assurance that the demonstration would be peaceful.