Conveners of the #FixTheCountry and #OccupyJulorbiHouse movements have been informed by the Ghana Police Service that their planned protest scheduled for December will not be permitted due to the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations. The Police Service cited concerns about the mingling of peaceful demonstrators with political figures from the ruling government as a reason for their decision.
In a letter sent more than a month after the protest was formally notified to the police, the Ghana Police Service expressed their inability to provide protection during the holiday season, claiming that it would create a false impression of a joint effort between the protest movements and certain political actors.
Democracy Hub, the organization behind the protests, responded by reminding the police that law enforcement presence is not mandatory for peaceful demonstrations in Ghana. They urged the police to focus on combatting illegal mining activities (galamsey) rather than inhibiting peaceful protests. Additionally, Democracy Hub emphasized that the police’s obligation to provide traffic support during a demonstration should not be used to deny citizens their right to protest.
Despite the police’s decision, Democracy Hub affirmed its commitment to the democratic right of citizens to voice their concerns. They announced that the #OccupyJulorbiHouse 2.0 protest will proceed as originally scheduled from December 1 to December 31. The organization’s objective is to advocate for a new constitution to safeguard the nation’s democracy from corruption.
Democracy Hub encouraged the public to stay informed about the official protest calendar, which will specify the themes and locations of upcoming events. They called on citizens, both within the country and abroad, to remain hopeful and demand a more just Republic.