LINSOD commends organizers of #OccupyBoG demo but unhappy with Police

Lawyers In Search of Democracy (LINSOD) have commended the organizers of the Occupy Bank of Ghana (BoG) #OccupyBoG for an impressive demonstration aimed at forcing the governor and his deputies out of office over their mismanagement of the Central Bank.

“LINSOD wishes to take this opportunity to commend the organizers of the demonstration, led by the Minority Caucus in Parliament, and notable opposition activists.

“It was admirable to see not only the energy and resilience exuded by them, but also the manner in which they interfaced competently between untrustworthy Police and well determined protestors, who were bent on following the routes that had been accepted by the police and the organizers earlier, but which the police sought to unilaterally alter at the last minute, perhaps with the purpose to derail the impact of the demonstration,” President, LINSOD Eric Delanyo Alifo, Esq stated.

Below is the full statement

LAWYERS IN SEARCH OF DEMOCRACY (LINSOD) COMMEND ORGANIZERS OF “OCCUPY THE BANK OF GHANA” DEMONSTRATION BUT NOT VERY HAPPY WITH THE POLICE

Yesterday, Tuesday, October 3^rd, 2023, representatives of Lawyers in Search of Democracy (LINSOD) joined the demonstration dubbed “Occupy Bank of Ghana” to demand for the resignation of the Governor of the Bank and his two Deputy Governors, for the reckless manner in which they have mismanaged the bank and its resources in the last couple of years. The issues that necessitated the demonstration have been well explained and rehashed repeatedly in the media over the last several weeks and need not be belabored.

LINSOD wishes to take this opportunity to commend the organizers of the demonstration, led by the Minority Caucus in Parliament, and notable opposition activists. It was admirable to see not only the energy and resilience exuded by them, but also the manner in which they interfaced competently between untrustworthy Police and well determined protestors, who were bent on following the routes that had been accepted by the police and the organizers earlier, but which the police sought to unilaterally alter at the last minute, perhaps with the purpose to derail the impact of the demonstration. There is no doubt that the capability and purposefulness of the organizers were the reason why a bloody confrontation was avoided, and why the demonstration proceeded and ended peacefully with a strong message to Governor Addison and his deputies, and the NPP government, which has dragged the Bank into the serious mess.

We are not enthused at all that the Police had unilaterally changed the route, which they had earlier agreed on with the organizers. No reason was given in advance for why the demonstration may not follow the “approved” route. No imminent danger or security challenges were also apparent. However, the police just decided to not allow the demonstrators to follow what had earlier been accepted. Such conduct by the police is normally provocative and they must be mindful of it. We believe the police is still struggling to understand that citizens have unbridled right to embark on peaceful demonstrations through, and very close to, any public property in Ghana. The police must stop behaving like the Electoral Commission, which always seeks to act in the interest of Nana Akufo Addo’s NPP government.

We wish to also congratulate all those who have participated in the demonstration. We are together entrenching tested democratic tenets in Ghana, and our efforts shall be fruitful someday if we persevere.

Eric Delanyo Alifo, Esq.
PRESIDENT, LINSOD
024 901 6517

Source: Today.com.gh