The Ghana Police Service has filed an injunction to prevent the Gen-Z demonstration, set to take place from July 31 to August 6, 2024, in Accra.
The protest, organized by civil society groups Positive Transparency and Accountability Movement-Ghana, Arise Ghana, and Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability, aims to draw over 2 million young people to the streets in demand of better governance.
Their concerns include rising taxes, youth unemployment, and corruption, which, according to them, have led to increased drug addiction, dangerous migrations, and recruitment into terrorist groups.
Protesters planned to challenge the government’s taxes, including the controversial betting tax, COVID-19 tax, sanitation tax, and increased internet data taxes.
However, court documents have revealed that the police are seeking an injunction citing concerns over public safety.
The police stated that if allowed as planned, the demonstration could jeopardize public order, safety, and the operation of essential services.
“That by a letter dated 23rd July 2024 to the Regional Police Commander, the Respondents maintained their decision to embark on the intended demonstration regardless of the Command’s decision not to sanction the demonstration. Attached and marked as Exhibit GPS-5 is a copy of the letter dated 23rd July 2024.
“That the Command is convinced that the proposed demonstration, if allowed to go on in its current form, may compromise public defense, public order, public safety, the running of essential services, as well as the rights and freedoms of other persons.
“That the Command around this period is involved in a lot of operational activities within the region due to the celebration of the Annual Homowo festival, which is normally occasioned with security disturbances as a result of chieftaincy disputes in some of the local communities.
“In view of the impending General Elections, there are also a lot of political activities within the various Police divisions and districts which require visible police presence to ensure the safety of such political actors and the general public,” part of the court papers said.
AM/EK
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