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Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagba has criticized the Ghana Police Service for the apprehension of OccupyJulorbi House protesters. According to him, the ability of the people to demonstrate is an inherent democratic right and any attempt to hinder such exercise is unacceptable.
Mr. Ahiagba, in a Facebook post, stated that, though he disagrees with the captioning of the Presidency as a JulorbiHouse by the protestors, their right to peaceful assembly is guaranteed under the constitution and any action targeted at impeding this right is an affront to democracy.
“The ability of the people to demonstrate is an inherent democratic right. Therefore, the decision to stand in the way of citizens’ exercise of this fundamental right is unacceptable.”
“I don’t agree with the derogatory caption of the Presidency by the organizers of the demonstration, but impeding their right to peaceful assembly is an affront to democracy–plain and simple. “he noted.
He mentioned several lawful protests that took place while the government was led by Akuffo Addo, and he urged the Ghana Police Service to take action to stop the impunity with which protesters are detained in the nation.
Under President Akufo-Addo, there have been a number of nonviolent protests, including the Kume Preko Demo and the Arise Ghana Demo. why at this time? To counteract this undesirable development, the Ghana Police Service’s leadership must step in. We don’t need this kind of notoriety on a day like today” he added.
The protesters were detained because they disobeyed a police order that was issued the day before the scheduled event.
Democracy Hub stressed that the reason they decided to go forward with their peaceful march was because they had not received official notice of the court ruling.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
