Protest march in Accra...No violence recorded

The demonstration in Accra yesterday by five Opposition parties over the economic situation in Ghana, is the subject of the top story of the Daily Graphic and other major newspapers.

The Graphic reports that hundreds of protestors, mainly from the five Minority parties, yesterday embarked on a three-hour peaceful march in Accra to register their dissatisfaction with certain government policies.

The paper says the placard-bearing demonstrators, who sang and danced amidst brass band music, comprised leaders and supporters of the NPP, the National Reform Party (NRP), United Ghana Movement (UGM), Convention Party (CP) and People's National Convention (PNC).

Mr J.A. Kufuor, NPP flagbearer, Mr Goozie Tanoh, spokesman of the NRP, and Dr Edward Mahama, leader of the PNC, led them.

The rest were Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby, presidential candidate of the UGM, Mr Felix Amoah, interim chairman of the CP.

The paper says the demonstration dubbed: "Ya bre mo" (we are fed up with you), was aimed among other things, at exposing what they described as the 'mismanagement of the economy' on the part of the government, corruption in high places, unemployment and the high cost of living.

According to the Graphic, as early as 6.45 a.m. the demonstrators, some of whom wore red bands around their hands and heads, began converging on the premises of Barnetts Furniture showroom near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle.

They are said to have begun their march at exactly 9.15 a.m. after their leaders had cautioned them against any violent act that could provoke the police to interfere in the demonstration.

The demonstrators marched through Ring Road West, Asylum Down Roundabout, the Holy Spirit Cathedral and stopped briefly at the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board.

They then proceeded through the Liberia Road, down the National Theatre to the Ministries. According to the Graphic, at the Ministries, work virtually came to a standstill as the workers came out of their offices to catch a glimpse of the demonstrators.

The demonstrators, the paper says, finally assembled behind the Osu stand of the Accra Sports Stadium, while their leaders briefly proceeded to Parliament to present a petition to the Speaker The leaders later addressed their supporters.

Throughout the march the police escorted the demonstrators to ensure peace, concludes the Graphic.