Mills urges police to allow demonstrations

Accra, June 29, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills has instructed the Inspector General of Police, Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, to provide all groups wishing to embark on demonstration or protest march with all the necessary security and logistical support to do so. The order from the president followed reports that a grouping of pro-opposition NPP supporters, Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), had been asked by the police to abandon plans to embark on a demonstration against the government, because it did not have enough men to give them protection due to other national engagements. A statement from the Ministry of Information and signed by the Deputy sector Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the President's instruction was in line with his belief in the right of every individual to freely express him or herself either through demonstrations or other forms of protest as enshrined in the Constitution.

Accra, June 29, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills has instructed the Inspector General of Police, Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, to provide all groups wishing to embark on demonstration or protest march with all the necessary security and logistical support to do so. The order from the president followed reports that a grouping of pro-opposition NPP supporters, Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), had been asked by the police to abandon plans to embark on a demonstration against the government, because it did not have enough men to give them protection due to other national engagements. A statement from the Ministry of Information and signed by the Deputy sector Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the President's instruction was in line with his belief in the right of every individual to freely express him or herself either through demonstrations or other forms of protest as enshrined in the Constitution. The statement emphasized the Mills Administration's commitment to enhance the practice of democracy in the country and ensure that governance was always open, transparent and accountable. "Indeed, openness, transparency and accountability have been the bedrock of our administration so far, and the President maintains that it must be the basis on which all our actions and decisions aimed at a Better Ghana agenda is pivoted."