We'll Defy The Police...Their Reasons Are "Untenable" & "Unconvincing" - Young Patriots

The youth wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Young Patriots, say they will defy the order given them by the Greater Accra Regional Police Command by going ahead with their planned demonstration on Tuesday, January 8. The group still insists President Mahama colluded with the Electoral Commission headed by Dr Kwadwo Afari Djan to call the December elections for the incumbent, and are thus set to demonstrate against the two on Tuesday, for their roles in the alleged rigging. The Police met with the leadership of the group on Friday to impress on them the need to suspend the protest march. But the Young Patriots say reasons adduced by the Police are not tangible enough to merit the deferment of their civil action. Read below a copy of the statement issued by the group after their meeting with the Police. YOUNG PATRIOTS TO DEFY POLICE AND DEMONSTRATE ON 8TH JANUARY The Young Patriots after a meeting with the Greater Accra Regional command have decided we will have our demonstration on 8TH January, 2013. The Police command came to the table with a preconditioned position of not allowing us to demonstrate on the stated day. The Police in their argument pointed to a publication by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) on Saturday, December 15, 2012 in the Ghanaian Times newspaper to the effect that AMA has banned all unauthorized use of public parks. We were therefore instructed to seek permission from the AMA to be able to use Obra spot and any other public space. The police further stated that they are unable to approve the 8th January date because they would have just finished with the swearing in activities of the President. We wish to state unequivocally that the demonstration will come on as stated on 8th January because the excuse given by the police are untenable and unconvincing enough for us to change the date of demonstration. The AMA publication which does not state any particular by-law which empowers it to give permits for public gathering does not constitute a law. Nowhere in the Public Order Act is the AMA given powers to give permits for demonstrations. We shall therefore not obey that order from the AMA boss. Secondly, the police are not engaged on 8th January, 2013 with any national event nor have they indicated that an agreement has been reached with another group to have a program on the said date. The Young Patriots is therefore using this opportunity to inform its teaming supporters to prepare and gather at the Obra spot by 7am on Tuesday 8th January. The Dress code is red or black. The Program shall terminate at the Hearts Park at which leading members and notable members of the public will address the gathering. Petitions will then be sent to foreign missions and donor partners after the program by the leadership of Young Patriots. God Bless our homeland Ghana. Signed Richard Nyamah John Kumah Fred Amankwah Sarfo Hopeson Adorye