We had no intention to embark on an armed demonstration – Oliver Barker-Vormawor clarifies
A protester holds a banner during #fixthecountry protest in Accra, Ghana, on August 4, 2021. The protest aims to demand accountability, good governance, and better living conditions from government. - Several thousand protesters marched in Ghana's capital Accra on Wednesday in the latest rally against President Nana Akufo-Addo's government under the slogan "#FixTheCountry". (Photo by Nipah Dennis / AFP)
Convener for the #FixTheCountry movement, Oliver Barker-Vormawor has clarified issues surrounding the purported demonstration which they received bashing by stating that his group did not plan to embark on any armed protest as was contained in the police statement.
He revealed that all they wanted was for private security to protect them during the protest, and not the Police.
“I was at a press conference and people started calling me, saying, we were going to do an armed demonstration. At no point did we say we wanted to do an armed demonstration.
“What we are saying is that we want private security protection and if any weapon is held by them it is going to be licensed by the Arms and Ammunition Decree,” he said during an interview on Accra-based TV3 on Monday, June 6 2022.
This led to people criticizing the group for planning to stage a violent demonstration.
An example is Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, legislator for North Tongu who said violence and the use of guns by demonstrators could not be acceptable in any democratic society like Ghana.
To that end, he said, the leaders of the planned June 4 armed demonstration must be condemned for contemplating this “disastrous path — they must stop it or be stopped!”
“Violence and the use of Guns by demonstrators cannot be acceptable in any democratic society. Leaders of the June 4 demonstration must be condemned for contemplating this disastrous path — they must stop it or be stopped!” Mr Ablakwa tweeted.
The Accra Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service declined a request from some persons including broadcaster Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart, and #FixTheCountry convener Oliver Barker-Vormawor to demonstrate.
Police said the nature and character of the demonstration as intended, is inconsistent with the Public Order Act hence the decision to stop it.
The demonstration would have taken place three days ago and allowed the leaders to address the nation on GTV.
“The Accra Police Regional Command on Sunday, May 29 2022 received a notice of intention to embark on a demonstration by a group of persons: Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah, Captain Godsbrain, Benjamin Darko, Oliver Barker-Vormawor.
“The service is of the view that the nature and character of the demonstration as intended, is inconsistent with the Public Order Act,” the Police said in a statement.
