- Police seek court order to halt Gen-Z demonstration scheduled for July 31 to August 6.
- Protesters aim to address economic hardships, heavy taxes, and corruption affecting youth.
- Organizers pledge to defend their constitutional right to protest and assemble.
- Court hearing on July 30 will determine the protest's fate.
The Ghana Police Service has taken legal action to prevent the Gen-Z demonstration from taking place, filing an injunction to halt the seven-day protest. The demonstration, scheduled from July 31 to August 6, 2024, aims to bring together over 2 million young people in Accra to address pressing issues affecting their lives.
The protesters’ primary concerns include severe economic hardships, which have driven many young people into drug addiction, dangerous migrations, and even joining terrorist groups. The demonstration also seeks to challenge the government’s imposition of heavy taxes, including the controversial betting tax, COVID-19 tax, sanitation tax, and increased internet data taxes.
Furthermore, the protest aims to express Gen-Z’s strong disapproval of the widespread corruption and nepotism allegedly characterizing the incumbent administration. The conveners of the demonstration have pledged to defend their right to protest, citing constitutional provisions that protect citizens’ rights to demonstrate.
The court is scheduled to hear the injunction application on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, just a day before the protest is set to begin. The organizers of the demonstration appear to be drawing inspiration from the massive protests by young people in Kenya, which forced the President to make drastic changes.
The Ghana Police Service’s move to prevent the demonstration has sparked concerns about the protection of citizens’ rights to freedom of assembly and expression. The outcome of the court hearing on Tuesday will determine whether the Gen-Z demonstration can proceed as planned, or if the police will be granted the injunction to halt the protest.
