The Police in the Ashanti Region have given the green light to a planned demonstration by both the governing National Democratic Congress and the opposition New Patriotic Party on February 24th and 25th respectively.
This follows protracted negotiations between the Police and the two parties on the selection of appropriate dates for both protests. The Organised Youth of Ashanti (OYA) affiliated to the NDC and the Movement for Change (MFC) of the NPP, both wrote to the Police to demonstrate on the same day on the same routes.
Whilst the OYA threatened to hit the street to give their unflinching support to President John Mahama, the MFC say they are demonstrating against government for not doing enough to end the current power crisis.
Speaking to Citi News the Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer ASP Mohammed Tanko advised both parties to adhere to the agreements reached on the conduct of the demonstration. “As organizers of a public event of that nature, they have a responsibility under the Public Order Act to ensure that whatever was agreed with the police is followed,” he said.
According to ASP Tanko, the Police have weighed their strength and are convinced that they can provide maximum security for both demonstrations. “We have assured them that we will give them our maximum cooperation when they set out for the procession,” he added.
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