Police secure injunction against Yvonne Nelson’s #DumsorMustStop protest

The Ghana Police Service, in accordance with the Public Order Act, has filed an injunction to stop protests led by actress Yvonne Nelson, dubbed #DumsorMustStop.

The police acted after the organisers refused to change the route of the street protest after a security assessment by the law enforcement agency.

The police had directed the conveners of the ‘#DumsorMustStop’ demonstration to stage their protests at Independence Square instead of the planned Revolution Square which is very close to the seat of government, the Jubilee House.

Meanwhile, the case has been scheduled for hearing on May 24, 2024, and the outcome will determine whether the #DumsorMustStop protest will occur.

The demonstration, spearheaded by Actress Yvonne Nelson, political activist Selorm Dramani Dzramado, and Henry Osei Akoto, is scheduled for Saturday, May 25, 2024.

An earlier statement signed by the Accra Regional Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Arhin Kwasi Annor, explained that the Revolution Square was a security zone; therefore, a protest could not be held within that area.

Thus, the protest and picketing at “Revolution Square may endanger public defence, public order, and public safety and violate the rights and freedom of other persons.”

The law enforcement body also emphasised that “12 midnight for closure may compromise security which may lead to violence, endanger public defence, public order, public safety, public health and the running of essential services”.

Hence, in the “interest of public order, public safety and the running of essential services,” the Accra Regional Command requested the conveners to relocate the picketing to Independence Square.

It will be recalled that Yvonne Nelson notified the Ghana Police Service on May 9, 2024, of the upcoming protest against the country’s erratic electricity supply.

In the letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, the actress indicated that the vigil would occur at Revolution Square, starting at 8:30 am and ending at midnight.

The letter also expressed frustration over the unacceptable power supply situation and aimed to provide the president with evidence of its debilitating effects.

In a tweet, Yvonne Nelson had previously invited Ghanaians to join her in a massive campaign against recent erratic power cuts.

This call for action follows similar protests by Yvonne and several celebrities in 2015 to express displeasure over consistent power outages.