Police have become an extension of gov’t – Group

Pressure group Concerned Ghanaians has described as reprehensible the action of the Greater Accra Regional Police Command of the Ghana Police Service to secure a restraining order on its March 6 demonstration.

The group had scheduled to demonstrate on Independence Day over the power crisis in particular and the economy, in general.

However, an Accra Circuit Court granted the Command an ex parte application after it had raised concerns of inadequate personnel to protect demonstrators on that day.

But a statement issued by Concerned Ghanaians on Wednesday, March 4 said it will resort to the courts to overturn the order.

The group accused the court of falling into the trap of the police.

“While we view the conduct of the police as subversive of the rights of the people, we are even more dismayed by the police’s wiling of the court to make it an accessory to such unconstitutional conduct.

“It is our firm and unflinching belief that the courts, as custodians of the law and protectors of the civil rights and liberties of the people, ought not to condone such acts by the Police Service who have now become an extension of Government.”

The statement further explained that the intended demonstration was not to disrupt the 58th independence celebrations as adduced by the police, but to din into President John Dramani Mahama the energy crisis in the country since “the President has publicly made known his diagnosis of Ghanaians as people with short memories.”

The group expressed optimism of getting a ruling to demonstrate sooner or later.

“We are hereby serving notice that we shall challenge the Police in court over the injunction.”