Rawlings criticises large police presence at 'Wahala'

Former President, Jerry John Rawlings has criticised the police for deploying "too many" officers at the 'Wahala' demonstration. He says the large police presence indicates that the government has become paranoid.

The demonstration was staged by opposition parties to protest against the recent hikes in fuel prices.

Police officers, led by Greater Accra Regional Commander, ACP Kofi Boakye, were deployed to guide the demonstrators on the route and to maintain peace. They wore riot gear, some recently acquired by the Police Service. The demonstration was also filmed by the police officers.

But the former president says all these measures were unnecessary. He said for such a "small" demonstration, the police administration should not have deployed so many officers.