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General News of Monday, 5 March 2007

Source: Free Press

Pratt Calls For Positive Defiance

A memberof the Committeee for Joint Action (CJA), Mr. Kwasi Pratt Jnr., has described a recent High Court decision restraining the groups of its plan from going on a procession on the Independence Day, March 6 as baseless and a stifle to freedom of expresson and undemocratic.

Mr. Kwasi Pratt Jnr., who is also the publisher of the Insight newspaper called for a positive defiance to what he described as a bogus ruling.

“Nobody can stop the masses from expressing their democratic right by celeberating Ghana’s Golden Jubilee the way the person wants it. This decision is totally absurd and makes a mockery of practicing democracy. Mr. Pratt made this known on an Accra-based radio station on its current affairs programme. An Accra Fast Track High last Friday reaffirmed its decision not to allow the Committee for Joint Action (CJA) or any organization by themselves, their agents and servants to go on any procession on the 6th March or any other day within 10 days of the 5th March.

The lead counsel for the Inspector General of Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police, K. K. Amoah, argued that the procession could create confusion and lawlessness should it be allowed since intelligence reports show that other groups have threatened to confront the CJA should they mount their procession whether peaceful or not. A Member of Parliament and counsel for the CJA, Mahama Ayariga, moving the motion to set aside the previous court decision argued that the procession was not in public interest but an alternative to celebrate Ghana’s Golden Jubilee. He stated that some of the court orders were without basis in law.

The consuel for the IGP contended that the strength of the police and all security agencies have been stretched to its maximum and they will be on parade to provide security for the dignitaries and other invited Heads of State.