The Accra Regional Police Command has expressed dissatisfaction with the protest routes chosen by the Minority caucus in parliament to demand the resignation of the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and his deputies.
According to the Police, the Minority’s route choices, could jeopardise public order and safety.
In a statement issued by the Police on Wednesday, stated that “following the security assessment, on 23 August 2023, the Command engaged the organisers and assured them that the Police are ready to provide them the needed security to exercise their constitutional right to demonstrate.”
“However, Police drew their attention to the fact that using their selected routes may endanger public order and public safety among others. 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 statement said.
According to the statement, the police are waiting to hear from the demonstration organisers so they can give them the security they need while the event is in progress.
The statement continued, “We would like to assure the public that the Police will continue to deliver on our mandate, as we work together to deepen our democratic credentials as a country.”
The Minority had previously stated that it has struck an agreement with the police on the terms of its planned protest at the Bank of Ghana Head Office on September 5, 2023.
The Minority issued a 21-day ultimatum to Dr. Ernest Addison, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, and his deputies to quit in responses to what they regard as the central bank’s reckless management and the GHC60 billion losses recorded in its 2022 financial report.
Deputy Minority Leader Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah told journalists after a private meeting with the police at the Greater Accra Regional Police Headquarters that all preparations had been completed for the upcoming rally against the Bank of Ghana’s management.
The demonstration will take place at the Bank of Ghana’s Head Office, with the Minority intending to express their concerns about what they call mishandling of financial resources and the consequent economic consequences.
A leading member of the pressure organisation AriseGhana, Bernard Monarh, who joined the minority for the meeting with the Police, criticised the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr Ernest Addison, for his justification of the new central bank headquarters.
In an earlier interaction with the police, Mr Mornarh expressed concern about the Bank producing money in 2021 and 2022, which he blamed to recklessness and corruption.
“We hold the view that the illegal printing of money by BoG in the year 2021 and 2022 to the tune of GH¢77 billion to finance the recklessness of the corrupt Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government, in flagrant disregard of section 30 of the BOG Act (as amended) is the height of irresponsibility and must be condemned by all well-meaning Ghanaians,” he added.
