The Ghana Police Service has issued a strong warning to the organisers of the upcoming Occupy Jubilee House protest, cautioning that they will be held accountable for any violations of the Public Order Act if the demonstration proceeds on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
The protest, initiated by the group Democracy Hub, is intended to draw attention to the ongoing problem of illegal mining in the country. Originally, the protest was scheduled to take place at Revolution Square, directly opposite the Jubilee House, the seat of government.
However, police authorities secured a court injunction preventing the protest at the designated location, citing concerns over potential public disorder. The police have expressed that the proximity of the venue to the Jubilee House poses a security risk and could disrupt public order.
In an attempt to resolve the matter, the police met with representatives from Democracy Hub to negotiate an alternative location for the protest. Unfortunately, the discussions did not result in any agreement, leaving the protest’s future uncertain.
Despite the injunction, the police have reiterated their position, stressing that should the organisers proceed without a resolution, they will face consequences for any breach of the law. The Public Order Act mandates organisers of public gatherings to obtain police approval, and failure to comply with such orders could lead to legal repercussions.
