OccupyBoGProtest: Police to Enforce Restricted Access to Bank of Ghana

The Ghana Police Service has made it clear that participants in the scheduled demonstration against the Bank of Ghana (BoG) will not be permitted to approach the premises of the banking industry regulator.

The protest, organized by the Minority in Parliament and known as #OccupyBOG, is scheduled for today.

This demonstration aims to address perceived inconsistencies in the national economy attributed to the current administration of the BoG.

Considering the Bank of Ghana as a security zone, the police have affirmed their commitment to ensuring security, maintaining law and order during the planned demonstration. They emphasized that the protest route does not include access to the BoG premises.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Grace Ansah-Akrofi, the Public Affairs Director of the Ghana Police Service, stated during a media briefing on the police’s preparedness for the demonstration, “The name of the protest does not determine the route of the protest. We have agreed on the routes, and those are the routes that will be used.”

She reiterated the importance of adhering to the designated routes, which involve commencing the demonstration at the Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, proceeding through Adabraka, Ridge Roundabout, National Theatre Traffic Light, High Court Complex Traffic Light, and the Atta Mills Highway.

Additionally, protestors have been urged to maintain a peaceful demeanor throughout the demonstration, with the police ensuring the necessary security measures in accordance with the Public Order Act of 1994 (ACT 491).

Organizers of the protest had previously indicated an estimated participation of around 5,000 people.

Mrs. Ansah-Akrofi reassured the public by stating, “We have an adequate number of police officers for the demonstration,” and she commended the organizers for their cooperation with the police throughout the planning process.

Traffic Arrangements
As part of security measures, Mrs. Ansah-Akrofi outlined traffic arrangements, including the temporary blocking of the road from the Independence Square, extending from the National Lotteries area to the Old Parliament Traffic Light during the demonstration.

Diversion routes will direct traffic through the Starlet Traffic Light, the Ministries Traffic Light, leading to the front of the Office of the Department of Urban Roads (DUR), and subsequently through the National Lotteries area.

Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD) personnel will be stationed at various intersections to assist the motoring public in accordance with the arrangements.

Prior Engagements
Leading up to the demonstration, there have been several engagements between the Ghana Police Service and the protest organizers.

Initially scheduled for September 5, 2023, the protest was planned to begin at Parliament House, pass through the Osu Cemetery traffic light, High Court Complex, Ministry of Finance, Kinbu, Makola – Rawlings Park, Opera Square, and conclude at the Bank of Ghana Head Office.