Accra, Feb. 13. GNA – The Police Administration on Monday said adequate measure had been put in place to ensure the safety of persons and property during the demonstration against the Representation of the People Amendment Bill (ROPAB).
The Police said it would deal decisively with anybody involved in any act of lawlessness.
A statement signed on behalf of the Director of Public Affairs at the Police Headquarters, by Police Inspector Gloria Donkor, said following a series of meetings with the Leadership of Concerned Ghanaians, the organizers of the demonstration, a route had been mapped out.
The demonstrators would march from Kwame Nkrumah Circle, through the Nkrumah Avenue, Trades Union Congress, National Theatre, Ministries Traffic Light and end at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium. The two parties also agreed that only the Leaders of the demonstration would be allowed to enter Parliament House to present their petition to the Speaker.
The statement said “no person shall ride any unregistered motorbike or carry any offensive weapon during the period of the demonstration and any person found to be causing damage to any property would be dealt with accordingly”.
The organisers were represented by Mr Mahama Ayariga, MP for Bawku Central; Mr Danny Ofori-Attah, Chairman of the EAGLE Party; Mr Bernard Mornah, the People’s National Congress Youth Leader, while Senior Police Officers including the Deputy Inspector-General of Police Administration, Mrs Elizabeth Mills-Robertson, represented the Police. According to the statement the leaders were reminded of the responsibilities of demonstrators as stipulated in the State Public Order Act 491 (3).
The order states: “Where at any special event any damage is caused to any public property, the organiser or any other persons found to have been responsible for the damage caused shall be liable to pay for the cost of the damage;
“Any person taking part in a special event shall obey the directions of the Police Officers safeguarding the proper movement of the persons and vehicles and generally maintain order and;
“Any person taking part in a special event shall conduct himself in such a manner as to avoid causing obstruction of traffic confusion or disorder.”
According to the Police statement the Leadership of the demonstrators pledged their commitment to adhere to the directives and hold peaceful demonstration in conformity to the season of love on the day, February 14, Valentine Day.
Source: GhanaWeb
