KUYA's Demonstration SUSPENDED after Patrons were served a Court Injunction

The Asanteman ‘Kyefa’ demonstration planned by the Kumasi Youth Association (KUYA) was brought to a halt on Friday morning, September, 27, 2019 after protestors were served with a court injunction to put a hold to it.

The protest march was a reminder to government on abandoned infrastructures, left for bushes to take over, and others like roads carelessly ditched to upset the lives of people in the society. The Kejetia Market, a platform for majority of business personnel and a mass funder of taxes for development within and outside the Ashanti Region, has still been closed without any notification. Projects like the Bekwai Hospital, Sofoline Interchange, Boankra Inland Port have all been deserted by government.

Roads like the Ahinsan Lake Road, Abuakwa Tanoso heavy congestion, Anwiankwanta Obuasi highway and Mamponteng Tafo Road were agendas on the list of protestors to prompt the president of Ghana towards to take immediate decisions to resume works on them.

The demonstrators wore black and red attires and held placards with stickers, “Enough is Enough, Complete Boankra Inland Port,” “Enough is Enough, Expand Suame Roundabout to Mamponteng Road to reduce traffic”, “Enough is Enough, Fix Bosomtwe Roads now or face our anger” and many others.

Speaking to Tweneboah Kodua, Chairman for the Kumasi Youth Association (KUYA), he confirmed that a court order was served to the Kyeamehene of the Adum Traditional Council before they converge. He informed that there was the need to wait and not flout on the constitutional rights of the country until the patrons gave permission to proceed.

“It is just this morning that one of our patrons that a court injunction has been served. We are yet to sight the injunction itself but as leaders of the group, we need to have a meeting as quickly as possible and then we see the court injunction”

“We’ll demand an explanation from the police as well (and enquire from them as to) why this court injunction because we have had a very healthy discussions with them and we saw a fatherly and friendly discussion with the police”

“At a point in time where the Regional Police Commander had to call his leave and join us with the engagement so we thought everything was quiet okay. Even yesterday we had to meet at the Adumhene’s palace with some of the leadership in the Metropolis and we told them that we are poised for this demonstration”

“We also assure them that it’s going to be a peaceful one after all we are asking for development, and if we are asking for development why do we have to do something that will have a ripple effect on the society?” he said.

Members of KUYA also addressed that leaders of the Nation have taken people in the Ashanti Region for granted to the extent that they have walked out on the necessities of the people. A section of them revealed that they want continuity of the projects that were initiated by previous governments to be completed.

“Our demonstration is not fueled by any political background. We want Asanteman to be a better place for its resident. Things are fallen apart in this region. We are not rebelling against authorities, we want them to attend to our needs for this is their stronghold. It’s not a good idea to license the NPP for opposition that is why we are embarking on this protest march,” a female protestor revealed.

Demonstrators carried on to the Manhyia Palace to inform the Ruler of the Land; the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II on the court’s decision to infringe on their rights as citizens. On their arrival, they met a number of security personnel at the gate.

They addressed the media that the Police administration has frustrated them in their quest to demonstrate. According to a key member of the association with his name withheld, KUYA served the Police a notice two months before the time. He narrated that the Police made them change the route and venue of the demonstration and even refuted to protect them when the time was due.

“We spoke to them on Wednesday, so why now. We are law-abiding citizens seeking for the best of Asanteman. Politicians cannot use Kumasi as a platform and forsake us for Accra when they win power”

“Our demonstration is against partisan politics,” he ended.

They frowned at the Regional Minister's attitude for tagging them as members of the National Democratic Congress campaigning against the government.

“It’s unfortunate that the Regional Minister is tagging us as NDC members. He is very arrogant and for all you know most of us here are his party members registering their displeasure. We cannot hide anymore. Nothing can stop us to quit this demonstration except Manhyia and “Opemsoo” (the Asantehene)

Samuel Opoku Acheampong, Head of I.T for Manhyia and the Special assistant to the Chief of Staff, later walked in and addressed the crowd. He informed the demonstrators that the King is performing the traditional rites for the ‘Fofie’ therefore; there was the need to exercise patience until the rites were done before meeting the chiefs to address their petitions.

COURT INJUNCTION