AFAG calls off demonstration, blames Prez Mills for interfering

AFAG calls off demonstration, blames Prez Mills for interfering
Audrey Micah, Ghanadot

Accra, June 30, Ghanadot - A planned mass protest by Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) to protest government to consider an upward review of salaries for Ghanaians in the light of rising fuel prices has been fraught with controversies. This has led the group to call off its planned mass protest scheduled for July 2.

According to the group, it will hold in its place a public forum to among other things; discuss the President’s interference with its planned demonstration.

While a group calling itself the Confederacy For Public Accountability described AFAG’s actions as unwise and irresponsible, the Director of Public Prosecution per the prompting of the Ghana Police Service secured a court order restraining AFAG from going ahead with its planned protest action.

However, the Government in a statement issued a directive ordering the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Paul Quaye to provide all groups planning to embark on demonstrations with the necessary protection and logistics to do so.

Mr. Daniel Marfo Ofori-Atta, a member of AFAG in an interview with Citi FM said the conflicting positions of the Presidency, the Ghana Police Service and the Judiciary informs its decision to suspend the mass protest.

To him, the President’s directive has bemused the Greater Accra District Commander of Police, Madam Rose Bio Atinga on what action to take in on the matter.

Meanwhile the Spokesperson for the President, Mahama Ayariga has explained that the President, by his action has rather established a commitment to promoting the fundamental human rights in the provisions of the constitution.

Speaking from Libya where President Mills is currently attending the 11th Summit of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the 13th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union, Mahama Ayariga disclosed that since the Police operates directly under the executive arm of government, it is not out of place for the president to instruct the IGP to allow for the demonstration to take place.

Ghanadot