The Upper East Regional Police Command has urged a group calling itself Leaders of Gbane for Peace and Development to refrain from a three-month demonstration against the Shaanxi mining firm in the Talensi District, describing the intended act as illegal.
According to the group, it will stage the demonstration from 10th January 2020.
The group in December 2019 wrote to the police informing them of the intended three (3) months demonstration against Pubortaaba and Yenyeya (Shaanxi) mining firm to demand back 71.17 acres of land leased to the firm for 50 years for allegedly breaching a memorandum of Understanding between the mining firm and the Gbane community.
But the police in a press release described the intended demonstration as a breach of Public Order Act and thus illegal.
Upper East Regional Police Commander DCOP Ampofo-Duku indicated that, his outfit wrote back to the group, after receiving the request, to reconsider the illegality of the demand and re-apply for a legal demonstration but the group has disregarded police recommendation.
DCOP Ampofo-Duku has therefore declared the intended demonstration as illegal and cautioned that, the police shall deal drastically with anybody or group that violates the peace at Gbane.
Meanwhile the Gbane Traditional Council in a press statement on December 29, 2019 dismissed reasons the group gave for its demonstration that, the mining firm is abiding by the memorandum of Understanding signed with the community.
The council described as baseless and fictitious the claims by the group and warned that, “The Ghane traditional council shall not allow any group of people to disturb the investment environment of the community for their selfish interest”.
“We also wish to caution any sponsor or company associating itself with the activities of this group to desist immediately or risk incurring the wrath of the traditional council. We shall resist with all our might any group that attempts to threaten the peace of Gbane community be it picketing or demonstration”.
Below is Police Press Release
Public Affairs Unit(PPAU)
Ghana Police Service
Bolgatanga/UER
03 January, 2020
THE MEDIA
UPPER EAST REGION
PRESS RELEASE
A group calling itself Concerned Citizens of Gbane presented a letter to the Regional police command to embark on three(3) months picketing commencing 10th January,2020 at Gbane.
The Regional Police Command wrote to the group stating categorically that it was unlawful in Ghana for a group or individual to apply for picketing continuously for three (3) months and directed that they should reconsider their position and re-apply. Since then, the police have not heard anything from the organizers. Therefore, the group has no mandate or permission to go on the intended picketing since police letter in relation to their request has not been responded to.
The general public are hereby being warned to disregard any intended picketing or take part in any demonstration since it is illegal, otherwise police will deal drastically with anybody or group who violates the public peace at Gbane or anywhere.
The police has been empowered by the Public Oder Act to maintain law and order in the Country and will not renege in our efforts to maintain a serene environment conducive for Ghanaians to go about their businesses or activities without fear.
O.K Amofo-Duku
Deputy Commissioner of Police
Regional Commander/UER