The Ghana Police Service has secured an injunction to restrain the Rastafari Council of Ghana from going ahead with its planned demonstration today, June 26, 2019.
The demonstration was to protest and mount pressure on the government to decriminalize marijuana in the country.
This injunction comes after the council’s first intended demonstration on May 8, was postponed to June 26 following what the Rastafarians said were deliberate attempts by the police to frustrate their movement.
In the injunction suit sighted by citinewsroom.com, the council together with its members have been restrained for 10 days.
“Upon reading the affidavit of A.CP. Lyia Donkor, Deponent herein, filed on the 21st day of June, 2019 in support of Motion ex-parte of an Application of an Order of Interim Injunction restraining the respondent from holding the intended demonstration on 26th June 2019. And upon hearing the submissions of William Kpobi Esq. Counsel for and on behalf of the applicant herein. It is hereby ordered that respondent council and its members are hereby restrained from embarking on their intended demonstration which is to be held on 26th June, 2019, for 10 days only. This application may be repeated only on notice to the respondent.”
The pro-marijuana march was to begin at the Obra Spot, at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra for what the council said to “fight and defend their human rights”.
Currently, cannabis is categorized as a narcotic based on PNDC LAW 236, its cultivation and trading are highly restricted and sanctions are applicable
But, the Rastafarians are of the view that marijuana has tremendous economic potential that farmers can harness to improve their livelihoods.
They further argue that, the state also stands to gain economically from it.