Court Restrains Traders

An Accra Circuit Court on Wednesday restrained the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) from holding its protests at Drug Lane Okaishie, Accra. It ordered GUTA to hold its protest at the two venues proposed by the Ghana Police Service (GPS). The Police had proposed the Accra Hearts of Oak Park or the Efua Sutherland Park. The order of the court came after the court presided over by Mr Francis Obiri had granted an ex-parte motion filed by the Police. GUTA had proposed holding its protest today at Drug Lane Okaishie in the morning and during the said protest shops were expected to be closed. According to the Police they believed that the Drug Lane for the protest was not convenient for security reasons. Arguing the motion, Chief Inspector E. Afful said on June 17 the Ghana Police Service received a letter from GUTA informing them of their protest to be held at Drug Lane, Okaishie. According to Chief Inspector Afful, the Executives of GUTA was to address its members against government policies that were collapsing their businesses. The Police, however, stated that the proposed venue for the protest for over 3,000 members was not convenient as a result of security reasons. The Police noted that the organizers of the protest were bent on organizing the protest and that if GUTA was not restrained; the protest at Drug Lane was likely to breach the peace of the area.