The Ghana Police Service has warned the public against unlawful gatherings and demonstrations following the declaration of the 2020 election results.
According to the police, such gatherings without prior notification amount to a breach of the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491).
This can lead to various penalties “including imprisonment,” police have warned.
“The Public Order Act places an obligation on persons who desire to hold demonstrations or special events to give notice to the Police of such intention in a period of not less than five days before the date of the event,” a statement from the police said.
“It also obliges participants to obey the directions of police officers safeguarding the proper movement of other persons and vehicles and generally maintaining order.”
The caution comes as the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) has engaged in a series of demonstrations in Accra, Zabzugu, Techiman South, Tamale and other places in protest of the outcome of the elections.
Today, for example, hundreds of NDC supporters in the Ashanti Region marched to protest the outcome of the 2020 elections.
They were led by the National Women’s Organiser of the NDC, Hannah Bissiw, and tried to enter the Ashanti Regional EC office.
They were, however, stopped by security personnel.
The police also warned that “if any crimes are committed in the course of such unlawful demonstrations, all participants are jointly and severally responsible for the crimes.”