Coalition for the Defence of Democracy holds demonstration

A group calling itself the Coalition for the Defence of Democracy (CDD) on Tuesday organised a peaceful demonstration in Accra to condemn Ex-President Jerry John Rawlings for utterances he made at a National Democratic Congress (NDC) forum to mark the 22nd anniversary of the June 4 Uprising.

Thousands of people heeded the call and gathered at the Holy Gardens at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle at about 10:00 hours and at 10:55 hours began their march.

They went through the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue and Kinbu Road to the back of the Osu Stand of the Accra Sports Stadium, where they were addressed by the organizers.

The number of demonstrators, some wearing red bands, swelled as they went along singing and dancing to brass band, 'Kolomashie' and recorded music.

At Tudu most of the traders left their wares to join in the dancing and merry-making.

Scores of policemen, some in helmets and clutching batons and protective shields and others on horseback provided cover for the demonstrators.

The leaders of the CDD said it comprises 12 civil organizations and their action was aimed at the promotion of peace and democracy.

There were no incidents. A number of Senior Police Officers the Ghana News Agency spoke to described the demonstration as very peaceful.

Ex-President Rawlings on the 22nd anniversary of the June 4 Uprising lashed out at his successor, President John Agyekum Kufuor's Administration on several issues, including the withdrawal of his military guards, outlawing of June 4 as a holiday and the arrest of members of his party and warned that there could be an explosion if the trend continued.

Some of the demonstrators carried placards with inscriptions: "Let us live by the rule of law", "Welcome democracy" and "J. J. leave Kufuor alone".