The Ghana Police Service has warned that persons who organize protests and demonstrations against the public order law could suffer consequences including imprisonment.
The country recorded a few disturbances during and after the December polls in certain parts of the country as some persons took to the streets to register their displeasure over the outcome of the 2020 elections, destroying state and private properties and allegedly attacking some key members of political parties.
In a press release issued by the Ghana Police Service on 15th December, 2020, the service indicated that there has been disregard for laws governing public assembly in Ghana.
“The Police Administration notes with concern, recent disregard for governing public assembly in Ghana, resulting in damage to both state and private properties. It is reiterated that such assembly including demonstrations fall directly under the Public Order Act,1994(Act 491)”.
The Public Order Law according to the release places an obligation on persons who desire to hold demonstrations or special events to give notice to the police of such intention in a period of not less than five days before the date of the event.
The release added that due regard must be given to the laws of the country by all adding “The Police Administration therefore calls on all organizers and participants of such events to give due regard to the laws of the country. It also wishes to remind the public that failure to notify the police of any special event amounts to an offense which can lead to various penalties including imprisonments. Also, if any crimes are committed in the course of such unlawful demonstrations, all participants are jointly and severally responsible for the crimes”.
Members of the National Democratic Congress have embarked on widespread protest over what they have described as a stolen verdict relative to the 2020 presidential elections.
