Police and AFAG in deadlock over planned demonstration

The Ghana Police Service and a pro-opposition pressure group, Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) on Tuesday hit the rock during negotiation on the groups intended demonstration.

The Greater Accra Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Freeman Tettey, told the Ghana News Agency after the meeting that in spite of the deadlock the police would continue to engage the leadership of AFAG until “we agree on date and route for the intended demonstration”.

AFAG was forced to call off its April 18 demonstration after the police secured a court order on the grounds that it does not have sufficient personnel to provide security for the demonstrators.

According to the Police, the on-going Election Petition case at the Supreme Court has wider security inter-connectivity hence operational personnel are on 24 hours on standby.

“It would therefore be a security hiccup as well as manpower and logistics constraint to face any mass action which would require active involvement of police personnel”.

DSP Tettey appealed to the public to exercise the greatest circumspection for national security and peace to consider suspending any intended demonstration.

The Police on Monday afternoon issued a statement directing that all special activities including demonstrations have been banned until after the end of the election petition.

The Acting Police Public Relations DSP Cephas Arthur explained that the Police are constrained to provide security to the demonstrators.

He said the directive goes to all manner of groups including AFAG.