Ransford Gyampo, an associate professor in the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana has advised the 4 June demonstrators to abide by the rules of the country in exercising their rights.
Gyampo’s comment comes after the Ghana Police Service said it will not allow the demonstrators to wield guns as part of their planned protest.
He warns that any attempt to disregard the laws of the country may inflict more hardship on the ordinary Ghanaians.
“Times are hard and the right to register discontent through demonstrations can’t be questioned. But the conduct must be within the bounds of law, as any act of lawlessness will inflict more hardships on the people who are already suffering,” the lecturer posted on Facebook.
Gyampo added: “There should be a clear line between national security and regime security. We can achieve this by rethinking the mode of appointment of certain top security capos. Default partisan appointments sometimes breed legitimacy deficit.”
We’ll not allow you to protest with weapons
The Ghana Police Service has served notice to organisers of an intended demonstration on 4 June that it will not allow them to carry weapons on the street as part of their plans.
According to the police, the group wants to demonstrate for three days with its own private security. Members of the group include broadcasters Captain Smart and Okatakyie Afrifa and the #FixTheCountry Movement lead convenor, Oliver Barker-Vormawor.
“The procession will move from Circle to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, where the protestors will make a demand [for] a slot on GTV to speak directly to the nation and lay out our grievances, in accordance with Article 55(11), which guarantees fair opportunity to Ghanaians to present their programmes to the public through equal access to the state-owned media,” the group said in a statement.
In response, the police said: “We would like to assure the public that the police service is ready and willing to provide the necessary protection for any lawful demonstration in the country.
“However, in this case, the service is of the view that the nature and character of the demonstration as intended, is inconsistent with the public order act.”
It added: “The service has reached out to the organisers to reconsider their proposal and work with the police towards the organisation of a lawful, peaceful and successful demonstration.
“We wish to assure the public that in the interest of public safety and security, the police are putting in place all necessary measures to ensure that unauthorised persons do not march the streets with weapons.”
Below is the full statement:
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