Josiah
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has reaffirmed that the police have no intention of acting contrary to Ghana’s constitution. He emphasized that the police are not opposed to peaceful protests.
On September 24, 2023, the police clarified their position on demonstrations, stressing that they support peaceful protests in all forms. A statement, signed by ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, the Director of Public Affairs of the Police Service, explained the police’s history of providing security for demonstrators in past instances.
This clarification followed the three-day #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration organized by the Democracy Hub. During an engagement with the leadership of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union in Accra, Dr. Dampare emphasized that the police can never be against peaceful protests, as doing so would mean acting against the country’s laws and constitutional principles.
He stated, “We are never against any demonstration. We will not be against any demonstration. Because if we do that, we are in conflict with the law, and it is unacceptable, it is unGhanaian, and it is against our constitutional principles. And we will not be the group that will frustrate the constitutional agenda we have in the country.”
Dr. Dampare further added, “The police are never against anybody demonstrating. It is just that we want the best for demonstrators and the best for those who are not demonstrating so that everybody can live their lives peacefully without anybody infringing on their rights and abusing them.”
Source:Omanghana.com
