Recent demonstrations are poorly patronized because of the partisan nature of organizers, Journalist, Kwesi Pratt has said.
Some taxi drivers staged a demonstration on Wednesday to register their displeasure over recent fuel price hikes but the turnout at the demonstration was low.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Kwesi Pratt explained that recent demonstrations are poorly attended because they are not organised to appeal to a cross section of the population.
He recalled that the famous ‘Kumi Preko’ demonstration was a mass demonstration that cut across the political divide.
“I recall when we were organising the ‘Kumi Preko’ demonstration, we made it a point to build it as a mass demonstration, cutting across the political divide and inviting all Ghanaians irrespective of their political affiliation to join.”
[contextly_sidebar id=”PZkEghQcEPE05c8NXrj1j5yKDbDhZArZ”]“When we were organising the Committee for Joint Action(CJA)demonstrations for example we made sure that the very first statement which was read out which was read out was read out by Dr. Omane Boamah, now Minister of Communications because …we wanted to create the impression that it was not a partisan demonstration…,” Pratt stated.
Mr. Pratt added that the proliferation of the media has offered people an opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with national issues without necessarily resorting to a demonstration.
“…The media outlet is also important. People are able to burn their frustrations, say what they like so there are no burnt up feelings that explode in demonstrations …”
Mr. Pratt however stressed that it will be a “grievous mistake” for government and other stakeholders to underestimate demonstrations simply because the numbers are low.
“Today I’m sure that if people went on the street to protest ‘dumsor’, ‘dumsor’. I’m sure you will not get the numbers that we got when we organised the Y’abre demonstration, which is estimated to have attracted over 500,000.You will not get that number but that could not mean that people are not angry, that could not mean that people are not disillusioned about the power situation, that could not mean that people are not getting very angry”
He therefore emphasized the need for government not to look at the “numbers” at a demonstration , but the concerns that are raised by the protesters.
By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana