Police: HO NDC demonstrators did not meet Public Order Act requirements

Accra, Aug. 4, GNA – The Ghana Police Service has justified its action of stopping a demonstration by the “Volta Region National Democratic Congress (NDC) Youth for Action” in Ho on Wednesday describing the march as an “illegality”.

The demonstration was against the Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Amenowode and the Ho Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Isaac Kodobissah, for alleged non-performance,

A statement signed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Cephas Arthur, Acting Director of Public Affairs, said the group notified the Police about their intended demonstration.

However, the group could not meet the full requirements of the Public Order Act (Act 491) of 1994 and they embarked on the demonstration illegally.

The statement said during a discussion with the Regional Police, it came to light that a delegation of the group had been dispatched to Accra to meet some top members of the Party.

“Eventually it was agreed between the leadership of the group and the Police that the demonstration be put on hold pending the outcome of the meeting.”

The statement said the leadership of the group told the Police that they were going to inform their members about the development and get back to the police either on August 2 or August 3.

However, while the Police were waiting for the leadership of the group to come back with their response, they had information that they had grouped and were making for the Regional Administration.

“Police, who were on stand-by, quickly mobilised and stopped them. They arrested 12 members of the group, including its membership. Those arrested are made up of 11 males and one female.”

The statement said the Police were not against any group of people, who wanted to demonstrate, but they must adhere to the Public Order Act.

Meanwhile, the Executive Committee of the Ho Central Constituency branch of the NDC has suspended Mr Daniel Idikoko, Chairman and Alhaji Bello, a member of the Sava branch in Ho, who led the demonstration.