Minority Rejects Police Route for BOG Demo

The Minority in Parliament is bent on using its originally formulated routes for their upcoming demonstration against the conduct of top officials of the Bank of Ghana (BoG).

In a letter dated August 28, 2023, and addressed to the Greater Accra Commissioner of Police, the Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson boycotted the police’s suggested route.

The Minority sees the conduct of the police as an attempt to frustrate them towards terminating the planned protest. They also argue that concerns raised by the police during a meeting over the demonstration did not include their route.

“Your attempt to deny us an opportunity to terminate our #occupyBOG protest at the headquarters of the Bank of Ghana on the pretext that it is a “security zone” is untenable, troubling and unwholesome for the Ghana Police Service’s motto.”

It questioned, “How is the Bank of Ghana headquarters designated by the Police as a security zone and the Cedi House, another Bank of Ghana edifice that the police propose that we march through not a security zone?”

The Minority has, therefore, communicated their resolve to use their intended route.

“Please prepare to honour your constitutional duty along the routes we have designated for the OccupyBoG protest on the date that we have informed the police and the good people of Ghana. You have reasonable notice and time to prepare.”

The Minority has planned a demonstration on August 5 to register its displeasure at the BoG’s alleged illegal printing of about GH¢ 80 billion between 2021 and 2022 which it said contributed to an inflation rate of 54.1% in December 2022.

They plan to occupy the headquarters of the BoG on the day unless the Governor of the Central Bank, Ernest Addison and his deputies resign.

As their route, the Minority will begin the demonstration from Parliament, march through Osu Cemetery Traffic Light – Ministry of Finance – High Court Complex – Kinbu – Makola – Rawlings Park to Opera Square and to the Bank of Ghana to present their petition.

But the police in a letter to the Minority suggested they rather converge at Obra Spot, march through Circle – Adabraka road building to the City Centre – Cedi House to Independence Square. This, the police said, was to safeguard the safety of the public.

“We, therefore, requested the organisers to relocate the routes and destination of picketing in the interest of public order, public safety and running of essential services,” the police said.