Members and supporters of the National Democratic congress have been banned from staging further demonstrations in Accra.
This is as a result of a secured restraining order against the NDC by the Ghana Police service at an Accra High Court.
The restraining order granted by the Justice Elfreda Amy Dankyi is expected to prevent the main opposition party from staging further street demonstrating from Sunday, December 20, 2020 until January 10, 2021.
In a statement released by the Ghana Police Service notifying the public and especially sympathizers of the NDC of the development indicated that, the service received a notification from the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NDC, Mr. Kobina Ade Coker, on the party’s intended daily protest within the 20th of December 2020 and January 10, 2021.
The statement went on to state that this request made by the NDC “cannot obviously be met by the police in view of the ongoing post-election and multifaceted security operations for the festive season and beyond.”
This restriction did not go down well with a section of the public who interpreted it as a deliberate effort of the ruling NPP and President Akufo Addo through the police, to cease the NDC from exercising its constitutional right to drum home their unrest.
NDC’s protest
Members of the NDC and party sympathizers for nearly two weeks now, have organised numerous street protests following the declaration of incumbent President, Nana Akufo-Addo as President-elect in the just-ended presidential election.
NDC presidential candidate, John Mahama who rejected the declared results described the EC’s verdict as a “fictionalized result of a flawed election.”
He and the leadership of the party are of the sound believe that, candidate Mahama won the presidential race hence he is being robbed of his victory.
This position has been backed strongly by NDC supporters who have hit the streets to demand that the announcement be overturned. Demanding that the “real verdict” be declared by the EC.
The party is also contesting results of some parliamentary seats such as the Techiman South parliamentary seat result.
Below is the full statement by the police.
NDC BANNED FROM FURTHER PROTESTS IN ACCRA
The Accra Regional Police Command has secured a restraining order against the National Democratic Congress (NDC), from embarking on further protests and demonstrations in Accra.
In a matter between the Republic (Ghana Police Service) and National Democratic Congress and Kobina Ade Coker, the High Court, under Justice Elfreda Amy Dankyi (Mrs.), has prohibited all NDC intended protests from Sunday 20th December, 2020 – 10th January, 2021.
The prohibition order follows an Affidavit filed by the Police upon receipt of the notification from the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of NDC, Kobina Ade Coker, on intended daily protests within the above mentioned dates in Accra and all constituencies across the region.
The request by the NDC cannot obviously be met by the police in view of ongoing post-election and multifaceted security operations for the festive season and beyond.
The Regional Police Command is hereby drawing the attention of the general public especially sympathisers, followers and supporters of the NDC, to the restriction order and compliance.
Signed
[Effia Tenge]
DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE
HEAD, PUBLIC AFFAIRS UNIT/AR
