The Director of Operations at the Accra Regional Police Command, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Kwesi Ofori has spoken that the Ghana Police Service will not condone persons and organizations who embark on illegal demonstrations in the country.

The Article 21(1)(d) of the 1992 Constitution provides that: “All persons shall have the right to freedom of assembly including freedom to take part in processions and demonstrations.”

The provision is in consonance with similar provisions in the United Nations Charter on Human Rights, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (vide article 20(1)) and The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (vide article 71) to which Ghana is a proud signatory.

The right to freedom of assembly means the right to protest in a peaceful way, and includes static protests, parades, processions, demonstrations and rallies. It allows individuals to unite in support of a common belief , to express their opinions, voice their frustrations, criticize and voice opposition to opinions or beliefs they do not share.

With the rights of citizens defined, it boils down to the police to decide the appopriate atmosphere before a protest march can be held.

The caution by the Security service came after 18 trainee teachers were arrested after picketing the premises of the Ghana Education Service (GES) on Monday to demand posting.

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That pattern of people embarking on illegal demonstrations by not informing the police should come to a halt,” ACP Ofori said,

“Police will assert itself; we will ensure that authority prevails and that henceforth we will not take it kindly with persons or group of persons who on their own, embark on demonstration without recourse to law.”

Assistant Commissioner of Police per the laws of the state to help sanity prevail added that persons who wish to hold demonstrations must inform the Police ahead of time.

This, he said, would allow adequate preparation on the side of the police before the protest takes place.

“The law is for you to inform police ahead of time. We will not promote or encourage anarchy. We will carry out the spirit of accordance in all our dealings with public demonstrations,” ACP Ofori advised.