A disagreement has erupted between the police and organizers of the ongoing La Coalition demonstration over the protest route. The demonstration, which began on Tuesday, July 30, aims to highlight the alleged unethical seizure of lands by political entities in the Greater Accra Region.
The protesters, comprising various unions and associations within the La Traditional Area, are demanding the return of state lands they claim are being shared among the political class. They are particularly focused on the Trade Fair land, which includes areas occupied by Labadi Beach and La Palm Royal Beach Hotels.
The protesters allege that the original owners have not received the legally required compensation for the land. They also raised concerns about the Prisons Service lands at Cantonments, where a private developer plans to redevelop the facilities and use part of the land for private business.
However, during the protest, confusion arose over the route, with the police stating they could not guarantee the safety of protesters if they marched to Kpletso, near Burma Camp. The demonstrators are engaged in a heated argument with the Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Arhin, over the agreed route.
The Lead convenor of the protest, speaking to Channel One News, denied claims that the protesters intended to march to Kpletso, saying, “We are not going to the Kpletso land; the police are behaving like cowards. They don’t want to encounter the military.”
Instead, the protesters will proceed to Christ the King to meet a government representative and present their petition. Tetteh revealed that the police had refused to provide security for the protest from the beginning, forcing the organizers to provide their own security.
The protesters emphasized that they are law-abiding citizens who will hold themselves responsible if anything goes wrong. “We are not people who run away from anything. The commander knows me, and I’m not somebody who is running away,” Tetteh said.
The disagreement between the police and protesters has led to a tense atmosphere, with both sides refusing to back down. The protesters are determined to have their voices heard and to bring attention to the alleged land grabs.
The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further clashes between the police and protesters. The government has been called upon to intervene and address the concerns of the protesters.
The outcome of the protest remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the protesters will not back down until their demands are met. The government and police must find a way to address the concerns of the protesters and prevent further escalation of the situation.
