Police can’t ban demonstrations in this country - Pratt

Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper is upset with the decision by the Ghana Police Service to put a hold on demonstrations and other mass activity in the country.

According to him, the police have no right in placing a ban on such activities because it will undermine the rights of Ghanaians to protest.

The Ghana police service issued a directive, placing a ban on all demonstrations or any mass activity due to the on-going election petition at the Supreme Court. According to them it is a plea and not a total ban on groups to embark on demonstrations and urged Ghanaians to understand.

Speaking to Suyihini Alhassan on Radio Gold on Saturday, Kwesi Pratt said whatever name the police chooses to give to their action; whether a ban, a suggestion or a plea; it is not right.

“The police have no business banning demonstrations in this country. They have no business even suggesting that demonstrations should not be held, and I am deeply worried the way the police are going. I think this decision is worrisome, and if it is allowed to stand will undermine the rights of citizens to protest” he indicated.

He urged all sundry to stand up to the decision of the police and insists that the rights of Ghanaians in terms of expressing their opinion through demonstrations to be respected.

“The police are behaving in such a way to suggest that the right to demonstrate is no longer a right but a privilege. It is important for all democratic forces or pro-democratic forces in our country to make sure that our police are not allowed to curb the rights of citizens. Demonstrations must be seen as a constitutional right of citizens” he posited.