Democracy Hub Demo: Police says it will use ‘all lawful means’ to ensure free movement of traffic today

The Ghana Police Service has issued a stern warning to the organizers of the Democracy Hub demonstration, cautioning that any attempts to continue their protest at the 37 Intersection or other unauthorized locations will be met with the “use all lawful means possible to ensure the free movement of traffic and prevent undue inconvenience to the general public”.

In a statement dated September 22, 2024, the police made it clear that they will use “all lawful means” to ensure the free movement of traffic and prevent further disruption to the public.

This warning follows events on Saturday where protestors blocked the 37 Intersection, causing widespread inconvenience.

Demonstrators reportedly set fires, blocked roads, and engaged in behavior that disrupted traffic and endangered public safety. The police, in response, had to divert traffic and deploy officers to maintain order.

The Police Service had proposed seven alternative locations for the protest, but the organizers, dissatisfied with the options, took over the 37 Intersection on the first day of their demonstration, violating earlier agreements.

The police noted that this unlawful action caused delays in medical care, disruptions to social activities, and even impacted businesses, with some people missing flights.

“These unGhanaian, uncivil and unlawful acts of the demonstrators caused extreme inconvenience to commuters who were caught in traffic for several hours, persons in need of medical care had difficulty reaching the medical facilities, families visiting their loved ones who are on admission at the hospital had difficulty getting to them with essential supplies, there were delays in people attending social and cultural activities such as funerals which define us as a people and there was a negative impact on commercial activities including people missing their flights and others not being able to access their businesses,” the Police statement said.

“In our assessment, these suggest that the demonstrators had no intentions to embark on a peaceful protest”.

The statement emphasized that while peaceful protests are a constitutional right, actions that infringe on the rights of others, particularly by causing extreme public inconvenience, will not be tolerated. The police reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining security, law, and order in the capital city and called for public cooperation moving forward.

The statement signed by Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Assistant Commissioner of Police and Director of Public Affairs, reiterated that the police are prepared to ensure the safety of both demonstrators and the general public but urged the organizers to cooperate by choosing one of the approved demonstration sites.