An Accra High Court has ruled that pressure group, Arise Ghana can stage its intended demonstration between the hours of 8 am to 4 pm.
The order of the court is in sharp contrast to what the group had originally purposed to do.
The Ghana Police Service went to court after a meeting with the organizers of the group failed to reach a compromise.
The Police had said they would not be able to provide security for the demonstrators during the two-day activity.
The court additionally directed that the protest should commence at the Obra Spot here in Accra and end at the Independence Square.
DSP Sylvester Asare on Monday prayed the court to adjourn the matter since the Police Service was yet to receive documents filed by the protestors.
He asked for a two-day adjournment.
However, the lawyer for the demonstrators, Godwin Tameklo accused the Police of bad faith; adding that the protest was to take place on Tuesday.
He argued that such a request if granted would put the demonstration on hold.
He told the court that the organizers informed the Police of the demonstration as far back as June 2.
The Court presided over by Justice Comfort Tasiame adjourned proceedings to 11:30am to enable the Police to study the documents.
At 11:30 am on Monday, DSP Asare once again asked for an adjournment.
He explained that the Police needed more time to study the documents.
But the lawyer for the demonstrators prayed the court to dismiss the application, arguing that granting this request will empower the Police to use such processes to frustrate the rights of citizens to protest.
Justice Comfort Tasiame subsequently dismissed the request by the Police and directed that lawyers for the Service justify why the protest should be halted.
DSP Asare then told the court, the proposed timelines as put forward by the protestors have the potential to affect effective policing.
He explained that it is on this basis that the Police was asking for a restraining order.
Lawyer for Arise Ghana, Godwin Tameklo disagreed.
He insisted the Police have no power under the law to determine at which time a protest should take place.
He further explained that the organizers had initially wanted to stage a 48hour non-stop protest but later conceded to end at 3pm and 5pm on day one and two respectively.
The Court presided over by Justice Tasiame decided to grant the request by the Police partially by fixing the said timelines and routes.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
