Nana Ntow Amirekyi, the former National Organizer of the People’s National Convention (PNC) has shared his two cents following a loggerheads between the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Ghana Police Service over their upcoming protest at Bank of Ghana.
Earlier on, in response to the Minority in Parliament’s notice of a public protest, the Accra Regional Police Command has released a statement thanking them for their cooperation and outlining security concerns regarding the anticipated demonstration.
Dr. Sayibu Pabi Gariba, the commissioner of police and regional commander for Accra, thanked the minority leadership in the statement for their willingness to communicate with the police about the planned demonstration on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
The Police Service in its statement suggested that the NDC changed their proposed routes sighting security concerns at the Bank of Ghana and overcrowded routes as the main reasons.
During a panel discussion on Adekye Nsroma on UTV monitored by InsightNewsgh.com, Mr. Ntow Amirekyi accused the Ghana Police Service of causing tension that arises from demonstrations.
According to Mr. Ntow Amirekyi, due to the indiscipline of the police force they tend to change the routines for protesters by showing them what to do.
However, he noted that the job of the Police force any demonstration ground is to guide and prevent protesters from vandalizing properties.
He argued that no person going to protest plans to die while demonstrating but does so to voice out his grievances to government over pressing issues in the country.
BoG Protest: The police are the cause of tensions that arise during demonstrations -Nana Ntow Amirekyi#UTVGhana pic.twitter.com/PSczwK7h1V
— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) August 24, 2023
Nana Ntow Amirekyi continued that the police always carry their guns, teargas and hot water and they end up causing tension by attacking protesters and when they retaliate, the police ending injuring them.
Meanwhile, Kweku Boahen has insisted that the NDC will use the selected routes despite the new proposed routes by the police.
According to Boahen, the Ghana Police Service can’t tell the NDC the routes they should pass. He added that the protest and picketing must be done in an open space for everyone to see.
