This move aligns with a growing trend among African governments to suppress youth-led demonstrations against the rising cost of living.

A Ghanaian high court has issued an injunction preventing civil society groups from holding planned protests in Accra, according to one of the organisers.

This move aligns with a growing trend among African governments to suppress youth-led demonstrations against the rising cost of living.

The protests, expected to draw over two million participants, aimed to pressure President Nana Akufo-Addo to address corruption, improve living conditions, and expedite the signing of an anti-LGBT bill into law.

However, the court's decision has effectively put a halt to these plans, Reuters reports.


Ghana's High Court Justice Abena Afia Serwaa granted a request by the police to prohibit a few organisations from holding protests scheduled from July 31 to August 6.

The police cited insufficient personnel to provide security, as many officers are currently deployed to political rallies for upcoming elections.

This decision comes amidst a surge of youth-led demonstrations across several African countries in recent weeks, as young people demand action on various social and economic issues.

A wave of protests has swept across Africa, with Kenya experiencing a deadly crackdown that has claimed over 50 lives and resulted in nearly 700 arrests since mid-June.

Demonstrators had taken to the streets to oppose proposed tax increases by President William Ruto, who has since fired his cabinet and scrapped the tax bill.

Meanwhile, in Uganda, young people protested against alleged corruption and demanded the resignation of the parliament speaker, but were met with a police shutdown and over 70 arrests.

In Nigeria, the government has offered incentives, including jobs and grants, to dissuade youth from participating in a planned nationwide protest against bad governance and high living costs.

However, Nigerians insist to kick off a 10-day protest tagged #EndBadGovernance or #DaysOfRage on Thursday, August 1.

In Ghana, protest organiser Mensah Thompson has emphasized that elections should not restrict citizens' right to demonstrate, as a court injunction has banned planned protests in the capital.



"Young people are poised to demonstrate with or without the approval of the authorities," he said.



"A time comes when they will spontaneously jump on the streets and we will have a 'Kenya' on our hands."

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ghana-court-bans-planned-protests-against-cost-living-2024-07-31/

Mynd44 Nlfpmod Fergie001

CilicMarin:
President Tinubu is in fact, a complete democrate. You can't try all these rubbish, in Uganda, Canada or Ghana.