Ghana Police secures injunction against planned December protests

The Accra High Court has granted the interlocutory injunction sought by the Ghana Police Service to stop planned protests by three groups in December. 

The groups - Democracy Hub Ghana, Patriotic Hub, and the Patriotic Forum for Accountable Governance in October notified the police of their intention to hold protests at the Jubilee House throughout December. 

While Democracy Hub Ghana, organisers of the September 21 OccupyJulorbi House demonstration, and the Patriotic Hub said they would be protesting to demand improved living conditions, the Patriotic Forum for Accountable Governance said they intended to protest to thank President Akufo-Addo's government for “sustaining the nation through Covid-19 and setting the nation on the path to economic recovery.”

The police, stating grounds of threat to public safety, defence, and order and an unsuccessful attempt to have the groups postpone the planned protests, then applied to the court for an injunction.  

At a hearing yesterday, the court presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo noted that none of the respondents had filed an affidavit in opposition. Neither the representatives of the groups nor their lawyers were present at the hearing. 

"I have perused the application filed together with its attachments and I have listened to counsel for the applicant. It is in the interest of justice that an order should be made restraining the respondents from holding an intended protest or procession from December 1 to 31 2023 and January 1& 5, 2024 at the intended designation.

“The order is hereby granted as prayed for by the applicant and they are restrained from holding any special event anywhere or around the said venue," Justice Lydia Osei Marfo ruled.

The judge further ordered that should the groups decide to hold a protest from January 5, 2024, they should find a different location instead of the Jubilee House "said to be a security installation."