Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), issued a passionate address to police officers deployed to provide security for the #OccupyBoGProtest. He told them that if anything goes wrong, they would bear the responsibility.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia explained that the protesters were on a peaceful march to the Bank of Ghana’s headquarters to deliver a petition to Governor Dr. Ernest Addison. However, the police have attempted to prevent them from following their planned route.
Speaking in Twi before the march on Tuesday, October 3, the NDC National Chairman insisted that they would adhere to their original plan of presenting the petition directly to Governor Addison. He urged all participants to follow the instructions of the National Communications Officer of the NDC.
The disagreement over the protest route has led to its postponement twice. The police have maintained that the area around the Bank of Ghana’s headquarters is a security zone. However, Mr. Asiedu Nketia characterized the Bank of Ghana’s headquarters as a “crime scene” where corruption and misconduct are occurring. Therefore, he argued that protesters should be allowed to go to the “scene” to protest these alleged wrongdoings.
The protest is aimed at pressuring the Governor and his two deputies, Dr. Maxwell Opoku-Afari and Elsie Addo Awadzi, to resign due to the GH¢60.8 billion loss recorded in 2022. The protesters also object to the construction of a $200 million ultra-modern head office for the Bank of Ghana, which they deem unnecessary.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia contends that the Bank of Ghana continues to commit crimes against innocent citizens, and it is essential for protesters to march there to express their discontent.
The outcome of the protest and how the police handle the situation will be closely watched by observers and the public. The ongoing tension between protesters’ demands for access to restricted areas and the security concerns of law enforcement agencies remains a significant issue.