IMANI, CDD, IDEG, other CSOs criticise ban on NDC demonstrations
Top Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Ghana have appealed in a statement to the Ghana Police Service to preserve their impartiality to protect national peace and security.
The statement, dated Wednesday, December 31, 2020, is signed by Civic Forum Initiative (CFI), Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Norsaac, The Ark Foundation, Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Citizens’ Movement Against Corruption (CMAC), IMANI and STAR Ghana Foundation.
According to the CSOs, the directive by the police placing a temporary ban on demonstrations and protests by National Democratic Congress (NDC) over December 7, 2020, presidential and parliamentary elections is unsettling.
Fast-track investigations into election violence and let all know – CSOs to police A group of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has commended the Ghana Police Service for the role played in maintaining peace and security before, during and after the December 7 elections. But the CSOs have raised concerns about the impartiality the police in recent times, especially as supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) continue to protest on the streets over results of the elections. These conclusions were made in a virtual meeting of the CSOs held on Monday, December 28. The CSOs are Civic Forum Initiative (CFI), Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Norsaac and The Ark Foundation.
NETRIGHT supports women’s Rights organisations with PPE
The support is to address the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on Women and Girls.
The PPE includes boxes of Sanitizers, boxes of Liquid Soap, packs of Tissues, pieces of Nose Mask and a safe wash station.
The women organisations are Ark Foundation, Tema Station Women’s Association, Ghana Federation for Disability Organisations, Development Action Associates and Manchie Cassava Processors Association.
Madam Patricia Blankson Akakpo, Programmes Manager, NETRIGHT, speaking in a brief ceremony to hand-over the items, said the support formed part of the Women’s Voice and Leadership Programme, Ghana funded by Global Affairs Canada with support from Plan International Canada.
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Police urged to respect rights of NDC protesters
The civil society organisations also urged sympathisers of the NDC to seek police protection for their demonstrations.
At a news conference in Accra, the Executive Director of the Ark Foundation, Dr. Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, appealed to opponents of the NDC to keep away from the NDC’s demonstrations.
While the governance platform acknowledged that the peaceful demonstration and legal actions are not mutually exclusive, it encouraged the NDC to ensure members are protected by the police during their protests.
“A key development has been the National Democratic Congress’s contestation of the elections. Members of the public, CSO’s and other concern citizens have called on the NDC to take their concerns to court”, she said.