You can’t protest – Court tells #FixTheCountry demo organisers

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The court has granted a restraining order against the intended #FixTheCountry protest slated for 9 May 2021.

Some agitated Ghanaians were hoping to stage a demonstration in Accra to protest against what they say is economic hardship worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

They are expected to converge at the Independent Square on May 9 which coincides with the remembrance of over 126 Ghanaians whose lives were lost some 20 years ago at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Tagged #FixTheCountry, the protesters are venting their spleens over what they describe as a failure on the part of successive governments to improve the lives of the citizens.

However, on Thursday 6 May, the police secured a court order to stop the protest.

“”The High Court, presided by Justice Ruby Aryeetey, has issued a Restraining Order against conveners of a protest march labelled in part or in whole as “FixTheCountry” from embarking on their planned demonstration slated for Sunday, 9th May 2021, or any other date until the restriction on public gathering is lifted. Please read more from the attached,” the police posted on its Facebook page.

The plan

In a letter addressed to the Ghana Police Service, the group indicated that they “do not intend to deliver a petition to the Presidency,” but will converge at the Independence Square at 8:30 a.m. for the march to commence at 9:30 a.m then disperse at 37 Maxmart.

“The March will proceed peacefully and at a socially distanced pace from the Blackstar Independence Square Station. From the Independence Square, the group will continue along the 28th February Road, then join the Atta Mills High Street; then down Graphic Road towards circle, using Dr. Busia Highway, and then return on Dr Busia Highway to meet Ring Road West Road.

“Then continue on that street through Ring Road central, then Odoi Kwao Loop, then join Hilla Limann Highway, then Turn on Sunyani Avenue continuing straight till turn on Kanda Link, then Turn on President Drive, then continue till we hit Liberation Road, then continue down Liberation Road till 37 Maxmart where Group Disperses,” the statement read.

With the Covid-19 pandemic still persisting, the group promised to uphold all the safety protocols as stipulated by the Ghana Health Service and also embark on a peaceful protest.

“We have no intention of gaining entry into any security installation, destroying private property, or breaching the peace in any other way. The march is about due process and government accountability. As such we intend to conduct the march in a manner consistent with the laws of the country, with particular regard to our rights and duties under the Constitution and such other relevant.”

#FixTheCountry, has been trending on Twitter for the past 48 hours.

Social media users, largely the youth, in their posts have been highlighting some of these inadequacies.

Despite efforts by government including the Nation Builders’ Corp (NABCO), National Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP) and other commitments towards investing in the growing human capital, some Twitter users say the impact is not felt on the ground.

Dominant in the sentiments shared on Twitter are rising youth unemployment, dilapidated health system, skyrocketing home-renting structure, poor road networks among others.

Coupled with corruption, erratic power and water supply, the users say the development has compounded their challenges and made life difficult for the average young Ghanaian to make a decent living.

Source: Daily Mail GH