National Security steps in to stop “Fixing the Country” picketing at Mahama’s office
The National Security Ministry, according, according to reports, saw the planned picketing as setting a dangerous precedent for protests being organized at private offices of individuals even if they are seeking public office.
Top officers of the Ministry of National Security have intervened to stop the leadership and members of the “Fixing the Country Movement” from going ahead with their planned picketing exercise at the office of former President John Mahama, in Labone, over their demand for more action by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on the Airbus scandal.
The National Security Ministry, according, according to reports, saw the planned picketing as setting a dangerous precedent for protests being organized at private offices of individuals even if they are seeking public office.
The National Security Ministry to this end, met with the leader of “Fixing the Country Movement,” Mr Ernest Owusu Bempah, and other members of the movement and impressed upon them not to carry out the exercise.
“Following extensive engagements between the Ministry of National Security and the leadership of the “Fixing the Country Movement,” ahead of their planned demonstration on 23 November 2023, it has been agreed that the said demonstration be called off over threats it poses to the security of the State” the National Security is reported to have said.
“Consequently, the general public is directed to desist from convening for the purposes of staging any such demonstration. Law enforcement officials shall be deployed to designated routes on the scheduled day of the demonstration to ensure strict adherence to the directive” the source further disclosed.
Fixing the Country Movement notified the Ghana Police Service of their intention to exercise their constitutional rights under Article 21(1)(d) and (f) of the 1992 Constitution to picket at the office of former President John Mahama on 16 October 2023. The group subsequently rescheduled the event to Thursday, 16 November 2023, and again to Thursday 23 November 2023.
According to the convener, the planned protest was intended to reflect the group’s antipathy towards the laid-back attitude of authorities investigating the Airbus corruption saga. That, the groups said Mr Mahama has a lot of questions to answer and the scandal cannot be swept under the rug. Additionally, the movement avers that it believes in public accountability and wants to reiterate the point that no one is above accountability.
Source: Asaase News
