A group called Concerned Ghanaians says it is pressing on with its Independence Day demonstration despite a directive by the Police for the leaders of the group to reschedule the date for the anti-government march.

The group said it cannot watch aloof as the energy crisis gets worse while the Government plunges the country into an abyss.

In a statement issued Thursday February 12, 2015 and signed by Ofei Dei Goodfellow and Atick Yakubu, the group said: “After a careful and exhaustive consultation with the leadership and members, Concerned Ghanaians wish to announce that the demonstration scheduled for Independence Day 6th March 2015 will proceed as scheduled.

“This is because the date is too significant to us and the good people of this country who have been plunged into deep hardship and discomfort as a result of the energy crisis. We can't think of a better day and date than 6th March to exercise our constitutionally guaranteed right to protest.

“This is a march by peaceful Ghanaians and as such does not require full battle gear to police it. That is if the Police choose to do so.”

Below is the full statement:

In compliance with the Public Order Act 1994, Concerned Ghanaians notified the Greater Accra regional police command on our intension to embark on a public march on 6th March 2015. Members of the group met with the police to discuss the modalities for the march. The Police Service suggested we chose a different date citing reason such as their personnel being over stretched. The meeting ended in a deadlock.

After a careful and exhaustive consultation with the leadership and members, Concerned Ghanaians wish to announce that the demonstration scheduled for Independence Day 6th March 2015 will proceed as scheduled. This is because the date is too significant to us and the good people of this country who have been plunged into deep hardship and discomfort as a result of the energy crisis. We can't think of a better day and date than 6th March to exercise our constitutionally guaranteed right to protest.

This is a march by peaceful Ghanaians and as such does not require full battle gear to police it. That is if the Police choose to do so.

WHY 6th March?

1. The significance of this date is to remind us of our struggle for political independence as a nation. However, beyond political independence, this nation sought freedom from other forms of oppression and domination, and our view is that one of the most crippling facets of our nation from which Ghanaians demand and deserve liberation is the infamous power cuts. 6th March is therefore of particular significance to us as a date in what it represents.

2. 6th March is a date not just for marches and beach parties. It is a significant date on which we as a nation must take stock of our national life and strive for better. 58 years after independence, it cannot be acceptable for ‘dumsor' to be a part of our national life, and the march on this day is to highlight this and reject it as status quo.

3. Concerned Ghanaians believes that this 6th March should not be another platform for political promises. Government should be ashamed of its failure to resolve the energy crisis. Government should be made aware of the many businesses and small scale enterprises which have been crippled as a result of dumsor. The many Ghanaians who are losing their jobs because of dumsor. The babies and patients who are losing their lives because of dumsor. Dumsor has brought this country to its knees and there is no point in celebrating independence when we continue to live under the oppression of dumsor.

We are hopeful that the police as key players in our democracy shall cooperate with us as we embark on this all-important but very peaceful demonstration.

We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented .If you were to remain silent, you will be guilty of complicity. We have to speak up for what is right . We only have one Ghana. '' We call on all well wishers of Ghana to join in this march.

Arise Ghana youth for your country. Your nation demands your devotion''"