A high court in Ghana has prohibited civil society groups from holding protests in Accra, citing security concerns. Organizers intended to mobilize over two million people to demand action from President Nana Akufo-Addo on corruption, living conditions, and delays in signing an anti-LGBT bill. However, the police filed a case that asked the court to ban the protests, planned between July 31 and August 6, due to inadequate personnel as officers have been deployed to provide security at political rallies amid campaigns for the next elections. Despite the ban, organizer Mensah Thompson insists that youth are determined to demonstrate and do not need the authorities’ approval. The planned protests reflect a growing trend across Africa, which began in Kenya in June and has since spread to Uganda and Nigeria.
SOURCE: REUTERS