A private legal practitioner, Dr. Leonard Anamang has intimated that, members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) should make sure they demonstrate within legal ambit.
His statement comes on the back of the party saying they will embark on various demonstrations across the country as they consider it their legitimate right to do so.
Speaking during a discussion, Dr. Anamang stated that, it was within everyone’s right to demonstrate, however, he noted that, if the right measures are not put in place and people just go out to demonstrate, there is bound to be issues of lawlessness.
“So, with this, the question that comes in mind is, if the person demonstrating has the right to do and is also doing so using the right means.”
He also said that, the demonstrations thus far have been violent with spats of lawless activities, a situation he deems must not be encouraged.
“Although protestors have the right to demonstrate they must ensure that, they are doing so in the confines of the law.”
He added that, people can be given the right to demonstrate but they must note that they live in a lawful state.
Touching on the refusal of the NDC to accept the Presidential results as announced by the electoral commission, Dr. Anamang’s response to the opposition party was that, the outcome of the election is not only available to a certain segment of society, adding that it would be a problem if they insist there were anomalies.
“I am not sure the over 200 media houses were all wrong about the figures, I am not sure the international community was wrong in terms of the figures they had. So, when you alone believe that you are right and everybody is wrong then there is a problem.”
Also speaking during the discussion, Mr. Martin Pebu, a private legal practitioner also took a stance that, the demonstrators should be allowed to demonstrate.
He said that, if, there would be enough police officers around, then the party members should be allowed to demonstrate.
“Ghanaians have this culture of demonstrating, and since you know it’s even obvious that most of our citizens are apprehensive. The question is, should we continue discussing the issue, because it seems that, the more we keep discussing, the more it increases their apprehension.”
Speaking further on the demonstrations, if indeed they were a threat to law and order in the country, he indicated that, the people had their grievances and that this is a political strategy because the party seem to want sympathy before they go to court.
He further indicated that, the demonstrations were allowed, but after the 21 days of the declaration of the results, such activities will not be permitted under the law.
He further urged Ghanaians to be patient with protestors because it will soon pass, adding that, their numbers were not outrageous.
Touching on the election results and the pressure and calls made for the NDC to go to court, he said the NDC is within the time frame and should be allowed to prepare adequately before they go to court.
