Peter Lanchene Toobu, the Member of Parliament for Wa West, has asserted that the police lack the authority to hinder the Parliamentary Minority’s planned demonstration against Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison. Toobu, who is a former police officer himself, emphasizes that such powers are not granted to the police by the constitution.
The Greater Accra Regional Police Command took legal action on Wednesday by applying for an injunction against the routes proposed by the Minority for their protest event called #OccupyBoG.
The NDC MPs plan to march on Tuesday, September 5, proceeding from Makola, through Rawlings Park and Opera Square, with the intention of reaching the frontage of the Bank of Ghana. The objective of the march is to call for the resignation of the Bank of Ghana Governor and his two deputies due to the central bank’s reported losses of over GH¢60.8 billion in 2022.
Also read: Plot to remove IGP: COP George Alex Mensah, 2 other officers to appear before committee today
Nevertheless, the police contend that the chosen route is frequently congested with both pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and thus utilizing this route could jeopardize public order, safety, and the functioning of essential services.
The police suggested an alternative route that would start from the Parliament House, pass through the Osu Cemetery Traffic Light, and conclude at Independence Square. However, the minority rejected this alternative route.
The scheduled hearing for the injunction is set for September 4, aiming to prevent the Minority from using their initially preferred route.
Toobu maintains that any effort by the police to obstruct the NDC MPs’ plans will be met with resistance. Deputy Minority Leader Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has already criticized the police’s action, labeling it a “breach of trust” and expressing profound disappointment with their conduct.
Also Read: Plot to oust IGP: ‘It’s my voice there and everything in the leaked tape is valid’ – Bugri Naabu
“We received a letter on Wednesday from the Ghana Police Service accompanied by a bailiff from the Accra High Court who served a notice or motion for an order to prohibit our Bank of Ghana protest, and we must say that we are very disappointed with this development which is an attempt to scatter the protest which is intended to hold the governor and his deputies accountable for their mismanagement of the bank which resulted in an unprecedented and colossal loss of GH¢60.8 billion, an amount which has had serious consequences on the economy and pushed close to one million Ghanaians into poverty.”
“And let us assure the people of Ghana that, as representatives, we will keep our sacred duty and we will uphold the public interest in line with our constitutionally guaranteed right to publicly protest, and we want to assure the people of Ghana that we have resolved to embark on this protest and nothing will stop us.”
