NDC protest march runs into another difficulty

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) planned protest march on the streets of Kumasi has for the second time in less than two weeks run into difficulties.

The Ashanti Regional Police Administration informed the party that the date it has fixed for the march coincided with the start of a three-week special security exercise to be undertaken in the region and that the police could not provide enough personnel to guarantee the safety of those who would take part in the march.

Mr Emmanuel Nti-Fordjour, the NDC Regional Chairman, who made this known to the GNA, said the position of the police was conveyed to members of the party after he went to demand a response to the letter officially informing police about the intended "march for survival" on Thursday, June 5.

He said although the police made their position clear, they still requested that "we come over the next day to meet the Regional Commander to discuss the issue further."

The NDC regional chairman said the party agreed to the request and some officials went to the Regional Police Administration on Friday, June 6, only to be informed that the police regional commander was indisposed and could not see them.

He said they were instead asked to call at his office on Monday, June 9 for a discussion.

Mr Nti-Fordjour said the leadership and rank and file of the party were getting disappointed at the tricks being employed by the police to 'frustrate and kill off' the protest march.

He said the regional executive of the NDC would make a formal protest to the Inspector-General of Police about the "unfair manner we are being treated by the regional police administration".

The NDC's street demonstration was first scheduled for May 29, but was called off due to disagreement between the party and the police on the route for the march.