The Ghana Police Service has filed an injunction to stop a planned protest against the current power challenges, led by outspoken Ghanaian actress and movie producer, Yvonne Nelson.
The protest, dubbed #DumsorMustStop, is scheduled for Saturday, May 25, 2024.
Yvonne Nelson and her team had notified the police of the protest, as required by law, but the police opposed the proposed route and endpoint, citing security concerns.
The police have now filed an injunction application at the High Court to stop the protest, which will be heard on May 24.
The protest aims to highlight the impact of intermittent power cuts, known locally as “dumsor,” on businesses and daily life.
Yvonne Nelson has argued that the power cuts are affecting her business and others in the entertainment industry.
This move by the police has sparked debate about the right to protest and freedom of assembly in Ghana. The police have a duty to maintain law and order, but critics argue that this should not come at the expense of citizens’ fundamental rights.
The police’s actions are part of a worrying trend in Ghana, where authorities have repeatedly used injunctions to block protests and limit citizens’ right to assemble and express themselves. In 2020, the police secured an injunction to stop a planned protest by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) against the compilation of a new voters’ register.
Also, an Accra High Court granted an injunction application by the police to stop a planned protest by the Ghanaian youth against the government’s handling of the economy in 2019.
Similarly, in 2018, police obtained an injunction to stop a planned demonstration by the Coalition for National Sovereignty (CNS) against the Ghana-US military cooperation agreement.
In 2015, the police secured an injunction to stop a planned protest by the #OccupyFlagstaffHouse movement against the government’s handling of the economy and corruption.
These incidents raise concerns about the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms in Ghana, and the police’s willingness to use legal means to silence dissenting voices.