#FIX THE COUNTRY …Gabby Otchere-Darko Supports Campaign

The Ghana Police Service has said it may seek a  court prohibition order to restrain organisers of  the #FixTheCountry   protest walk from going ahead with the event slated for Sunday May 9, in Accra.

The Greater Accra Regional Police command disclosed it has officially written to the organisers and given then clear instructions to call on the planned protest walk because any such mass gathering or walk during the COVID-19 period in the midst of a ban on social gathering constitutes an illegality and moreover there is no guarantee the COVID safety protocols would be observed during the walk.

The #FixTheCountry campaign,  meant to put pressure on government to rectify a chain of challenges in the country, started on social media  and has gone viral and become widely accepted across the country.

The planned walk is gathering momentum but may end in an anti-climax as the Police say organisers would be exposing persons  who attend the walk to the risk of contracting COVID-19.

DSP Effia Tenge Head of the Public Affairs Unit of Accra Regional Police Command spoke with Joy News: “We have written to them and told them why we think it is not safe for anybody to join such a demonstration. The Public Order Act also gives the Police other alternatives and other ways that the Police can resort to if the organisers refuse to comply with what the Police is saying.

“The avenue of going to court to seek a restriction or a prohibition order on the demonstration is there and it is something that the police can resort to. We hope they would comply with the advise that has been given by the police in view of the COVID-19

“The police will not be able to provide the necessary security looking at the spread of Covid-19 and the kind of dangers that it poses to members of the public should they attend this demonstration”, DSP Effia Tenge added.

#FixTheCountry

The organisers, in their letter of notice to the Police, had explained how they intend to observe the COVID safety protocols in accordance with world best practices.

The letter said the “Organizers note, with regret, that for nearly 18 months since the outbreak of the covid-19 health emergency, the Government has not developed any protocols for how public assembly for the purpose of exercising the right to freedom of assembly including the freedom to take part in processions and demonstrations.

“ Despite this several public gatherings have been organized by the State, including political rallies, voting exercises and other such events during this period. As the government has shown, it is possible for Public gatherings, especially in outdoor spaces to be carried out without significant risk of a spread of infections.

“ We note in particular that throughout November 2020 to January 2021, the Minister for Information Kojo Oppong Nkrumah continuously challenged any claims that political gatherings led to any increases in COVID-19 cases, or rate of infection.

“ We are assured that if political gatherings drawing thousands of people; and a voting exercise entailing over 13 million Ghanaians did not lead to a rise in new infections, it is possible to hold a public event, in compliance with public health protocols, without an increased risk to public health.

“In this regard, the organizers will take all measures to ensure that the March is undertaken in compliance with all relevant and well-known public health directives. We are certain that constitutional rights are not entirely displaced by public health  situations, irrespective of measures taken to anticipate and address risks associated with such situations.”

Motive

The organisers have explained that the planned May 9 walk, is being organized on the back of a string of consistent broken promises by successive governments; and in exercise of our democratic rights as citizens to express our frustration over perennial Governmental incompetence, refusal and/or inability to fix the country.

“The Organizers believe, as does the President, that democracy is not a spectator sport. We are committed to improving the substance of governance in this country by ensuring that the ordinary voices of Ghanaians provide a mechanism to hold elected officials accountable. There comes a point where enough is enough. Just fix the Country!!! That’s our only message. We have had it with purposeful deceit and the absence of truth and genuine accountability in how this country is being governed”, they added.

Annoh-Dompreh U-Turn

Meanwhile the Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh has apologized for asking  the #FixTheCountry campaigners to fix themselves first before asking the government to fix the country.

He has made a U-turn as captured below in a post he put on social media:

“I would like to apologize for an earlier tweet which failed to convey both seriousness of the times and to capture the essence of what the youth is demanding.

“Throughout my time in public office, I have always known that collective action and responsibility are important.

“However, I also believe that ultimate responsibility lies with the hierarchy of government.

“This is why as MP, I have always strived to use public office to make life better for my constituents.

“It is also why I cannot, in good conscience, endorse any message of finger-pointing while ignoring the climate of holding the arms of government accountable.

“In that spirit, I would urge us all to sustain our efforts to demand accountability.

“I believe in the leadership of H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and I’m confident that the responsible and responsive leadership he has displayed since 2017, will prevail.

“We shall succeed in making Ghana a better place.”

Gabby Supports

The former Executive Director of the Danquah Institute Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko also took to his tweet account over the #FixTheCountry campaign.

In one of his tweets, Gabby said: “No patriot can say he or she is against a clarion call to fix our country. After 64 years, we have run out of excuses. Let’s get it fixed and fixed now! Together we can!”

In another he noted: “Several ways of helping fix our country, after 64yrs of under-performance. You must get involved: by finding faults, praising efforts, naming & shaming, getting your hands dirty.”

“We have issues but we will get there. National Security has been tasked and fortified to help seal all leakages at the Ports. Imagine the number of people calling ‘big men’ or offering sweeteners to corrupt those fighting the corruption. #BeFirm”, was another of his tweet