The Minority caucus in Ghana’s parliament has taken legal action to contest the Greater Accra Regional Police Command’s attempt to secure an injunction against their planned protest targeting the Bank of Ghana Governor and his deputies.
The affidavit opposing the injunction was submitted by the caucus’s legal representatives on Friday, September 1, at the Accra High Court registry. The Greater Accra Regional Police Command had previously filed for an injunction, expressing concerns about the proposed protest routes chosen by the Minority.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs intend to stage their protest on Tuesday, September 5, commencing from Makola and proceeding through Rawlings Park and Opera Square to reach the vicinity of the Bank of Ghana. Their primary aim is to demand the resignation of the Bank of Ghana Governor and his two deputies in response to the central bank’s reported losses of over GH¢60.8 billion in 2022.
However, the police have cited overcrowding and congestion of human and vehicular traffic along the proposed route as potential threats to public order, public safety, and the functioning of essential services. As an alternative, the police suggested a route starting from Parliament House and ending at Independence Square, but this proposal was rejected by the Minority.
The upcoming hearing for the injunction application is scheduled for September 4, with the objective of preventing the Minority from using their originally planned route.
Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, strongly criticized the police’s actions, labeling them a “breach of trust” and expressing profound disappointment in their behavior. He emphasized the caucus’s commitment to its constitutionally guaranteed right to engage in peaceful protest as representatives of the people.
Speaking on the matter, Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga insisted that their planned demonstration does not pose a security threat to the public. He argued that the police’s actions demonstrated bad faith, as they had previously engaged with the caucus throughout the planning process for the protest.
As the legal battle unfolds and tensions rise over the opposition’s right to protest, Ghana’s political landscape continues to witness fervent debates and discussions surrounding accountability and public dissent.
